The following was submitted by the Orcas Island Food Bank.

All year long, many island businesses and individuals hold events or have programs that benefit the Orcas Island Food Bank.  Some examples: the Random Howse Food Bank Benefit in May, and Kid’s Life Orcas Campus making Easter bags that were delivered to the children of families coming to the Food Bank in April.

Toward the end of the year, the Food Bank officially launched its year-end fundraising and food drive, which lasted through December. The community once again responded whole-heartedly. The Salmonberry School kids did an amazing job of collecting and delivering more than 190 pounds of food for the holidays. Orcas Island High School held a food drive competition between classes. Camp Orkila donated 375 pounds of food and produce, and the Island Market/IGA “Feed the Hungry” food bag donations will be delivered to the Food Bank later this month. The Orcas Island Sportsmen Club Turkey Shoot donated 20 turkeys for holiday distribution.

Community members also found incredibly creative ways to gather food and cash donations.  Here are some examples:

• A Country Corner holiday event raised food and cash for the Food Bank and did 45 photos of Santa with Orcas Island children and their families, and some pets.

• During the month of December, Pawki’s for Pets held a pet food drive and matched any donations. Up to $500 worth of pet food was donated to assist Food Bank recipients in caring for their pets.

•  The Sounder is donating $5 for every new one-year subscription and $10 for each new two-year subscription for the next several months.

• Many other businesses and organizations regularly collect money and food for us, including Islanders Bank, the Senior Center,Windermere, Ray’s Pharmacy and the Community Church.

• Numerous surprises by unknown contributors are left in the donation box almost every day.

Our Thanksgiving and Christmas groceries and turkey packages were distributed to a record number of families, and our new Senior Outreach Program distributed several bags of groceries each week to seniors unable to visit the Food Bank.

Even though our recipient numbers continue to increase each year, we feel fortunate we are able to help the number of families that we do.  Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who gives so selflessly during our drives and continually throughout the year. We hope you’ll continue to support your island neighbors as generously as possible.