Submitted by the Orcas Island Food Bank Board and Volunteers.

At a time when there are so many needs, the Orcas Island Food Bank has been there to do its part. But it could not happen without the community. And ours has been exceptional.

Almost daily, individual donations from $20 to $2000 have been received in the mail, through OICF and via the food bank website at http://www.orcasislandfoodbank.org/how-to-help.html.

We have also been on the receiving end of larger contributions from the OICF Emergency Fund, plus the assurance that more will be there if necessary.

The number of individuals coming to the food bank for groceries has doubled, and we expect it to continue to increase daily. ANYONE who needs food assistance will be served. Just come to the Orcas Food Bank parking lot on Madrona Street next to the Orcas Community Church on Tuesdays and Fridays between 3 and 6 p.m. to receive a full bag of groceries. And you may come both days.

Our community and food suppliers are committed to maintaining our food inventory, and we have amazing volunteers who have undauntedly shown up, geared up and distributed up to 130 bags of food each open day. And they are dedicated to doing more as the need increases.

Whether you are an individual or family in our community, if you cannot afford to buy food for any reason, come to the Food Bank on Tuesday and Friday afternoon. If you can’t come yourself, ask someone to come for you (send a written authorization with them if possible). You will receive food.

Our heartfelt thanks to every individual in our community — some of them anonymous — who has helped to make this happen. We will all see it through, however long it takes!