Bellingham Food Bank fundraiser organizers eye $100,000 goal in coming weeks
In response to the suspension of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Nov. 1, three Bellingham locals are putting together what they hope will be the largest Bellingham Food Bank fundraiser of all time.
“It’s kind of a rapid-response effort to the SNAP benefits pausing,” said organizer and local musician Veronica North. “I think we all saw a lot of response from the community. … Everybody and anybody wanting to donate and asking for ways to donate and help.”
The fundraiser is also being organized by Ethan Hunger from Hunger vs. Hunger and Olivia Statham with Olivia Statham Real Estate.
Hunger vs. Hunger is a Whatcom County fundraiser that has been donating to the Bellingham Food Bank since 2021.
North said organizers want to make the fundraiser a community event and a call to action that might inspire people to make consistent donations in the weeks, months or years to come.
“I remember when, in 2021, when we had all the flooding. I remember going to Nooksack and Everson and the whole town was helping each other,” Statham said. “This reminds me of that. … so many people who are like, ‘I don’t have any money, but I have time’ or ‘I don’t have any time but here is $200.’ It’s really cool.”
The fundraiser will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Stemma West (formerly Twin Sisters Brewing) at 508 Carolina St. The event will be free to all ages and include games, a silent auction and a raffle. There also will be speakers and North will perform live music. All proceeds will go to the food bank, and Stemma will be donating 10% of its Nov. 22 profits as well.
“We are 100% behind any and all Hunger vs. Hunger events,” Mike Cohen with The Bellingham Food Bank told The Herald. “I’ll be there, and it couldn’t come at a better time. The SNAP crisis has shown an even brighter light on local food insecurity, and we need the community to support our hungry neighbors and food banks that support them.”
Approximately 15% of Whatcom County’s population — about 35,243 people — rely on SNAP benefits to put food on the table, according to the Bellingham Food Bank website.
The goal is to raise about $100,000 by the end of Nov. 22. Organizers are requesting money donations only. Food donations should go directly to the food bank.
In an Oct. 27 interview with The Herald, Cohen said food banks prefer money donations over food donations anyway because food banks have greater buying power than an individual and can generally get a lot more food with a $20 donation than most people can buy with the same amount.
North said any form of money donation will be accepted, from check to cash to online through the food bank website.
So far about $11,000 in cash has been raised through sponsors, including local businesses and private donations, according to North.
Statham said local business owners also have donated auction and raffle items, including local tattoo vouchers, restaurant gift cards and gift baskets, and a large mix of other items.
Those looking to donate to or volunteer for the fundraiser can contact North at veronicanorthmusic@gmail.com.
“It’s clear that people want to give. This is more about giving them a chance,” Hunger said.
This story was originally published November 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM.
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