Alternatives to Hunger, better know in our community as the Bellingham Food Bank, is operated by a volunteer board of 12 directors, 4 paid staff and over 40 dedicated volunteers. BFB has been in the community since 1972, at which time they served approximately 500 people per month. Now the Food Bank serves between 6,000 to 7,000 people each month. BFB's mission is to reduce hunger in Bellingham by providing wholesome foods to those in need on an emergency or chronic basis and by educating the community on the problem of hunger. BFB provides food supplies to the disabled, to senior citizens living on a fixed income with high medical costs, to the unemployed, and to a growing number of those working at low wage jobs and trying to make ends meet.
In 2001, BFB distributed over one million pounds of food to those in need in the Bellingham community. Thankful for the community support in providing food and cash donations to help fight hunger, the Food Bank diligently provides basic, nutritious food to clients and uses cash donations to purchase foods not received through donations.
The Bellingham Food Bank also serves as lead agency for five other food banks in the county. Many of the food banks operate solely on a volunteer basis and BFB assists with procuring food donations for the county food banks.
As a recognized emergency service in the community, BFB works closely with other social service organizations in the community. Indeed, the Food Bank is often the first social service contact that people in crisis will have. The Food Bank staff function in a gatekeeper role and often refer clients to the appropriate resource that will provide them compassionate and useful assistance.
In addition to direct program services, the Bellingham Food Bank recently collaborated with other food providers in organizing the Whatcom County Anti-Hunger Coalition. Please support this crucially important charity.
|
