It’s our most basic human need: food.

For most of us, we can walk into the store or stroll through the farmers’ market and pick up whatever we like.

For others, like seniors on a fixed income, single parents and struggling families, going to bed hungry is just part of life.

As winter approaches and seasonal work dries up, the Orcas Island Food Bank is launching its annual fund drive.

An average of 82 families a week are being served by the food bank compared to 79 in 2011.  A total of 61,000 pounds of food have already been distributed to hungry families this year.

The non-profit is run entirely by volunteers who do everything from ordering food and picking up groceries at the off-island distribution center to running and maintaining the facility and writing grants.

How to help

• Write a check payable to the Orcas Island Food Bank for any amount, big or small, and mail it  to P.O. Box 424, Eastsound, WA 98245.  Every $50 supports a family of four for two weeks.

• Arrange with your bank to make an automatic monthly or quarterly transfer of any given amount to the Orcas Island Food Bank.

• The Islands’ Sounder is donating $5 to the food bank for each new subscription and $8 for every two-year subscription. Call 376-4500 to sign up or visit www.islandssounder.com.

•  Hold a food drive or fundraising benefit at your business or event.

•  Bring non-perishables to our drop-off sites at the food bank building at 116 Madrona Street, the Orcas Senior Center, Key Bank and Post Offices in Eastsound, Deer Harbor and Orcas.

The Orcas Island Food Bank is community grown and supported. Your money and food donations help our neighbors in need who sometimes have to make the impossible choice between paying for rent, childcare, transportation, medication or food.