Blaine Food Bank over halfway to fundraising goal

By Stefanie Donahue

Entering the final stretch of the year’s largest fundraising campaign, the Blaine Food Bank has announced that they’re more than halfway to meeting their goal of raising $25,000 by

mid-December.

Illustration by Doug De Visser.

The campaign kicked off on October 17 and has so far raised $17,700, said Sally Church, a volunteer with the organization. An anonymous donor has agreed to match up to $25,000 after the campaign ends on December 16.

The organization anticipates using the money to purchase a year’s worth of eggs and milk from Lynden-based Edaleen Dairy for a growing population of families in need.

Each week, the Blaine Food Bank serves an average 400 families who receive an estimated 20,000 pounds of food during the course of a year. Demand is on the rise – the food bank is serving 100 more families than the same time last year.

Weeks into the campaign, the Blaine Food Bank had received numerous donations from private donors, mostly under $100, Church said. To boot, Blaine Elementary School students raised an approximate $700 and donated more than 6,000 pounds of foodstuffs during a seasonal campaign that ended November 15, she said.

“We just are so appreciative of everything that comes in,” Church said. “It’s what keeps us going through the year.”

Donations are accepted in the form of cash or check, by mail to P.O. Box 472 or in person at 500 C Street in Blaine. Nonperishable foods are also accepted on a regular basis.

For more information about the Blaine Food Bank, call 360/332-6350.