The Bellingham Business Journal

The 16th-annual Community Food Drive starts Monday, Oct. 18 and continues through Friday, Oct. 22. Donations may be made at all Industrial Credit Union branches and Haggen stores in Whatcom County.

Last year’s Community Food Drive collected 220,000 pounds of food, bringing the cumulative total to more than 1.2 million. The goal of this year’s Community Food Drive is 200,000 pounds of food.

While that is a lot of food, it won’t last long. Food banks in Whatcom County are now receiving approximately 22,000 visits per month and distributing an average of 350,000 pounds of food each month, according to Mike Cohen, executive director of the Bellingham Food Bank. At this pace, more than 4.2 million pounds of food will be distributed this year by county food banks. Also, more than half of the people assisted by the county’s food banks are either children (younger than 18) or senior citizens (55 and older).

“Donations of all sizes are important to helping those in need in our community,” said Matt Vance of Industrial Credit Union in a press release. “We encourage everyone – including businesses, schools, organizations and networking groups – to consider a donation of food or cash.”

Food banks are seeking canned protein, canned fruit and any other non-perishable food items, pet food, diapers, toothpaste, laundry soap and shampoo. Some perishable items such as potatoes and apples can be accepted. Donors also may purchase a pre-stuffed bag of groceries for $5 at Haggen stores in Bellingham and Ferndale.

For more information, visit www.communityfooddrive.com.