Whatcom food banks seeking this pandemic relief as more people need help with groceries
Local food banks are seeking a combined $1 million from Bellingham and Whatcom County governments to help with the sharply rising demand for groceries among the area’s working poor.
Bellingham Food Bank is seeing 3,000 household visits weekly, a number that accounts for about 70% of all visits to the 10 food banks spread across Whatcom County, said Mike Cohen, executive director.
“In Bellingham, we’re more than 100% busier right now than we were before the pandemic,” Cohen told The Bellingham Herald.
Cohen briefed the County Council’s Finance and Administrative Services Committee on Tuesday, June 21, and informally asked for $500,000 from President Biden’s pandemic-relief fund called the American Rescue Plan Act, a request that would require an official funding measure.
A similar request is being made of the Bellingham City Council, and a funding request is on the agenda for Monday, June 27.
Funds will be split among the county’s various food banks, Cohen said.
Inflation, particularly the rising cost of fuel and food, is pinching household budgets.
“Pretty much every week, we’re seeing record numbers of households coming in to get what they need,” Cohen said.
In United Way’s 2020 ALICE report of financial hardship, some 15% of Whatcom County residents were living below the poverty line, and another 21% were classified as working poor, or “asset limited, income constrained, employed,” or ALICE.
“At least half of the folks coming into the food bank have someone in the household who is working full-time. Many are renters, and some are even homeowners,” he said.
Cohen said donations of cash and food are always welcome, and volunteers are needed — especially this summer.
This story was originally published June 24, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
