Land donation gives rural Whatcom County food bank new sense of security
In its 40th year of operation, the Nooksack Valley Food Bank now owns the land under its operating center, giving the nonprofit a new sense of permanence to continue serving local community members.
The food bank has been operating on property owned by the Northwest Coast Presbytery since it was founded in 1986.
After the Everson Presbyterian Church congregation recently dissolved, the Northwest Coast Presbytery sold its main church building and manse, but subdivided the property to formally donate the land under the food bank’s operating center and the building itself to the food bank.
“It’s just amazing because this gives us the security to know that we can keep operating locally and supporting our Nooksack Valley neighbors,” Nooksack Valley Food Bank Executive Director Amy Steele told The Bellingham Herald.
The food bank operated in the basement of the church before raising the funds to construct its new building on the property in 2019. The church leased the space to the nonprofit until the recent land and building donation, according to Steele.
“This donation reflects the heart of our mission — to serve our neighbors and bless our communities. We’re grateful that what was once a place of worship continues to be a place of compassion, service, and care,” Northwest Coast Presbytery Executive Presbyter Rev. Laura Terasaki said in an announcement about the donation.
Steele said this donation is significant in a time of reduced federal support and a skyrocketing need among local families reliant on food bank services.
“It takes all of our donors, volunteers and community partners supporting this work to make sure no one in our community is going hungry,” Steele told The Herald.
The Nooksack Valley Food Bank currently serves between 250 and 270 households — about 800 to 900 individuals — each week. About 450 different families visit the food bank in a given month, according to Steele.
When she started as executive director about five years ago, Steele said the food bank was serving just 75 households each week.
“The growth has been tremendous,” Steele said.
The food bank is located at 100 E 2nd Street in Everson. It is open to distribute food on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Donations can be sent to the nonprofit’s mailing address, PO Box 525, Everson 98247.
