Year in Review: Blaine Food Bank

The Waterford crystal-laden ball in Times Square had barely touched the bottom, officially ringing in the first of 2022 celebrations across the country and filling everyone with hope and possibility for a new beginning, when it all began.

As we inched out of the confines of the pandemic, food banks everywhere went from Covid to chaos to crisis. We simultaneously faced an unanticipated end to federal relief efforts, persistent supply shortages, shipping delays, higher prices for food and fuel, decreased food rescue and donation resources and more and more families seeking our help. Every distribution we feared running out of protein, milk and eggs. Like the folks we help, our cupboards were bare, and with increased costs for food and fuel, the funds donated through our 2021 matching funds campaign would not see us through the year. 

Once again, this amazing community was our lifeline. A handful of regular dedicated donors, the city of Blaine, social organizations and golf tournaments held on our behalf by the ‘Good Ol’ Boys’ and the ‘Goof Offers’ pulled us through. Thank you all.

Our volunteers are truly amazing. This is the third winter they have worked outside with very little cover. They have endured rain, snow, wind and stifling heat in service to others. In 2022, our crew collected and distributed 1.4 million pounds of food, served 12,000 families or 33,000 individuals, made 1,300 home deliveries and provided weekend meals for 2,100 school children. Our volunteers come face-to-face with hunger every day. Their dedication and commitment is unmatched, and in my mind, they are true heroes.

We are so looking forward to 2023. The new distribution center will break ground in the spring thanks to the generosity of Northwood Chapel for donating land for green space, an anonymous donor who funded 75 percent of the project and the perseverance and expertise of our volunteer Cliff Freeman. We had hoped to be inside this winter, and could have started construction in November, but that would have put us outdoors, without any shelter during the winter months. The tent has served us well for three years, but we are so anxious to welcome folks into our new indoor market.

We will welcome the New Year with renewed hope for better times for everyone and with determination to remain dedicated and steadfast in our effort to change hunger to hope for struggling individuals and families.