We are, yet again, astounded by the philanthropy of the Orcas community.

When an anonymous donor gave the Orcas Community Foundation a $5000 matching grant for the food bank, we wondered if the money would be raised in time. As of early March, $3985 was left to raise by the end of the month.

We need not have worried.

Not only was the $5000 raised, but an additional $2200 was contributed. So in all, the foundation will be able to give more than $12,000 to the food bank.

What a gift to our fellow Orcas Islanders. The number of neighbors seeking food assistance has doubled in the past year. The food bank served more than 70 families each week in February.

Our island families are hurting, but a resource like the food bank allows parents to feed their children and the elderly to get enough nutrition.

The food bank now operates out of the Community Church basement on two days: Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in dropping off food can swing by the church during food bank hours or leave items in the drop box at the basement entrance or at the senior center. The food bank is currently in need of large paper grocery bags with handles.

These are hard times for many of us. Thank you for giving what you could, and helping support an organization that truly makes a difference.

To donate

Mail checks to PO Box 424, Eastsound, WA 98245. For more information, visit www.orcasislandfoodbank.org.