Arlington Food Bank receives donation

Western Forest Products donates $5,000 to food bank to help provide food to local families in need

Western Forest Products gave a $5,000 donation to the Arlington Community Food Bank on July 24 to support the organization during this time of increased need.

The wood processing company gave a total of $100,000 to 13 different food banks around Washington state and British Columbia where their businesses are located.

The Arlington location opened in 2018 as a part of the business which is based in Vancouver, B.C.

"As a company overall we're looking to get more involved in the communities we operate in. We realize during these times there are those less fortunate who are not able to go out working," said Jay Swanson, the operations manager for the Arlington location.

Employees at the business said they have lived in the community a long time and were happy to help.

"We all live here, too. I've been with Western since February," said Swanson. "I grew up in Stanwood and lived in Arlington since 2010."

Employee Leann Christiensen said she has lived in the area her entire life.

"It's a great program they have here and we're happy to provide assistance," she said.

The Arlington Community Food Bank, like most in the nation, is seeing increased demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic and high rates of unemployment.

Food bank director Carla Gastineau said that there have been about 70 percent more people coming in since the pandemic began.

Monetary donations from various sources are helping the food bank's supply.

"Food donations are really difficult right now. We're not encouraging actual food donations," said Gastineau.

"We're keeping the food bank safe with limited volunteers and processing the food is really difficult," she said.

Funds used by the food bank typically go further than individual purchases.

"Even if you in bulk individually you wouldn't be able to match the food bank prices that we get," said Gastineau.

Currently the food supply is remaining sufficient.

"We're still getting the food supply that restaurants would normally get," said Gastineau.

"At first there was a little bit of shortage, but I think because the phases haven't opened up like we expected we're seeing our food supply remain strong," she said.

Gastineau encourages people to come to the food bank if they are having to tighten their budgets at this time.

"We're still hearing 'oh, I want to save that food for people who really need it,' but that's not the case right now, we have plenty of food," she said.

Others are avoiding the food bank out of shame or embarrassment, but Gastineau said picking up some extra food can provide individuals funds to help with other expenses.

"That really helps our economy because you can use that money to do other things," she said.

"I would like to encourage people to use the food bank. Getting food here allows you to use other funds to pay utilities, pay rent, pay medical costs," she said.

The Arlington food bank is still accepting donations as their kids meal program and operations have spiked in cost this year.

They also hope to expand their delivery program, which helps people who can't go out due to COVID-19 risks or who have physical barriers to getting to the food bank. The food bank is currently looking for more delivery drivers as they only have two currently.

"If someone is available to deliver we would love for them to contact us," said Gastineau.

Volunteer drivers are able to use the food bank's van or their own vehicle.

More information about the local food bank is available at arlingtonfoodbank.org.