Imagine having rent to pay, a car with an empty gas tank, school supplies to buy, and bare kitchen cupboards with not enough money in your pocket to pay for even half of those things.
This is the reality for families around the country – and in this county. On Orcas, the declining economy is hitting locals hard: seasonal work has slowed down, and most significantly, the island’s biggest employer closed its doors early this fall. Rosario Resort, which employed nearly 200 full-time and part-time employees, was sold to an Anacortes-based investment and development group. Although it is expected to reopen as a resort, for now it is closed and many of the employees are without work.
Now more than ever, many locals will need the community to help with their winter heating bills through OPALCO’s giving programs, gifts for children from such groups as Toys for Tots, and, most poignantly, putting food on their tables.
Among all the stresses of providing for a family, not being able to afford regular meals should not be one of them. And Orcas does its part – in a huge way – to keep its community members well cared for in times of need.
In the 24 years that Dave and Lina McPeake and a corps of volunteers have managed the Orcas Island Food Bank, they have never had to ask for donations. That is an amazing statement about this island community. Local businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals contribute food and money every week. That means that children are getting the nutrition necessary to learn and grow up healthy. It means that seniors, whose incomes are often limited to Social Security checks, can feed themselves.
The food bank serves around 10 families in the summer. Lina says they now serve between 50 and 60 local families. Part of that increase is seasonal, and part of it is a function of the economy. The food bank has also increased their hours of operation to be open from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
The next time you are in the market, stroll down the canned food aisle and throw in a few extra items, like soup, vegetables, and beans. Canned food is one of the best food products to donate, and non-perishables can be left any time on the loading dock of the food bank, located in OPALCO’S surplus building, directly behind Dr. Bailey’s office. Perishables can be dropped off on Tuesdays, which is when locals come to pick up food.
Many shops in Eastsound have donation jars for the food bank, so when shopping locally, take a minute to throw in some extra change. Just a few dollars can go a long way.
Donating to OPALCO’s Project Pal is perhaps one of the simplest ways to help struggling neighbors this winter. Through Project Pal, you can round up your monthly bills to the nearest dollar – the few extra cents really add up, especially if a lot of people do it. OPALCO uses the money to help pay the heating bills for low-income residents. Fifty percent of the money from PAL goes towards senior citizens and the disabled.
The program runs from November to April each year. Last year, islanders donated $16,685 and OPALCO was able to help 106 families in San Juan County. This year, 52 people have already applied to receive help and there are still four months left to go.
According to Elisa Howard, member services representative for OPALCO, the need is definitely greater than it’s ever been, but OPALCO has seen an increase in donations too. Instead of rounding up your bill, you can also donate a desired amount to PAL – instructions on this accompany every bill. OPALCO also has the Gift of Power program, where members can elect to put a set amount into someone’s account.
Our current economic situation is causing nearly everyone to watch spending closely. But a downturn in the economy doesn’t seem to be affecting the generosity of Orcas Islanders. A little bit of giving from us all can go far in helping families shorten that growing list of financial obligations.
