Dawn of a new era: food bank breaks ground on new building

February 11, 2011 4:59 pm
Food bank volunteers gather to break ground for the new building. Project manager George Post is pictured above with the golden shovel.
Food bank volunteers gather to break ground for the new building. Project manager George Post is pictured above with the golden shovel.

The Orcas Food Bank broke ground on Feb. 11 for its new building on the community church property.

The 24’ by 48’ modular building is likely to arrive by the end of February and could be ready to use by mid-April.

Twelve months ago the food bank began its campaign for a new space. In November, it exceeded its fundraising goal of $65,000.

“This is a beautiful manifestation of everything we could have hoped for,” said project manager George Post at the groundbreaking.

The organization relies on around 30 volunteers, who currently work out of the basement of the Orcas Island Community Church. The food bank has been serving a record number of people since the start of the year, providing food to nearly 100 families per week. Food bank president Larry Shaw says it is important for the organization to continue to receive donations in order to serve its patrons. He also asks for anyone in the community who speaks foreign languages to contact him, as they are in need of translators. Shaw can be reached at 376-4609.