Lean times create more need for Issaquah Food Bank

Published 11:37 pm Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Times are tough, that’s easy enough to see. But what is sometimes hard to see, especially in a city as affluent as Issaquah, is those that are struggling more than others.

The Issaquah Food Bank is there to help those in need, but the organization itself is struggling.

“Seeing how the donations have depleted — it’s just scary,” Director Cherie Meier said.

Local grocery store donations have dwindled, some down as much as 10,000 pounds a month less than before.

Add to that the fact that food prices are on the rise, as are the number of people using the food bank, and it’s clear that the food bank could use some assistance so that it can adequately serve its customers.

“It’s been busy,” Meier said. “Tuesdays and Thursdays are pretty intense. It used to be Wednesdays were slow but now that’s picking up.”

The Food Bank is open to the about 400 people who use it, Tuesday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well as 5 – 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday each month. Those using the bank are allowed to come in once a week and get three to four days worth of food.

The bank is run with the help of about 100 volunteers who pick up donations, sort, stock and bag them.

In addition to food, the bank also has clothes and toys available.

Right now, the food bank is gearing up for back-to-school time, and is putting together backpacks with school supplies in them for every grade level.

Other times during the year the bank puts together packages for Christmas and Easter and there is also a supply for new babies and for birthdays.

“A lot of people totally depend on us,” Meier said. “All their money goes to bills, gas, prescriptions.”

The bank sees about 150 people each day it’s open.

Right now, the bank is especially short on items such as: juice, tuna, peanut butter, soups, rice, beans, any sort of fresh produce (even from a garden), cereal, meat and cheese.

“We really need monetary donations and school supplies,” Meier said.

They can always use more volunteers, she added.

If you would like to volunteer or donate, you can stop by the Food Bank at 179 First Ave. S.E., or mail a donation to P.O. Box 652 Issaquah, WA 98027. For more information, call 392-4123 or visit www.issaquahfoodbank.org.