SNOHOMISH CO., Wash. — One of the smallest food banks in Snohomish County is trying to raise money to upgrade to a bigger facility.
Organizers say it's desperately needed.
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"We'll have 3 people sorting food, taking it out of crates and boxes that come from the stores," said Mitch Robinson in a small room full of nonperishable food items and crates inside the Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Lake Stevens.
While volunteers at the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank have made it work for years, Robinson, who is the food bank’s president, says now is the time to act.
"This facility is woefully inadequate,” he said. “It's about 1,100 square feet and most food banks about our size have about 2 to 3,000 square feet."
The organization's solution came when they purchased a small plot of land next to its current location at the church.
The sewer line has been installed, according to the food bank. Now comes the building.
Organizers kicked off a campaign to raise $900,000 to build the facility.
They’ve raised $100,000 so far from businesses, the school district and residents.
Wilma Daniels donated $25 but also donates her time to the food bank.
“I see a lot of seniors come and there are a lot of people with a lot of children. There was a lady the other night that didn't have any shoes on," said Daniels.
The problem, they say, is families have to stand outside with only a small awning to protect them from the elements.
The food bank is open Thursday afternoons.
It feeds 300 families a month, according to the organization.
>> Follow this link to access the organization's website.
"I see people that come here that can't even get into the food bank, that cry because they're starving, and I'll give it to them," said volunteer Sam Wilson.
The food bank is applying for grants to help with the fundraising effort.
The new building would be partly funded by the city.
"We don't have the right kind of storage and, frankly, it doesn't meet code. So we absolutely have to get a new food bank built. It's just critical," said Lake Stevens Mayor John Spencer.
Robinson says it’s about feeding those who’d otherwise go hungry while restoring dignity in the process.
"We never know what God's going to hand out to us and if I can help, I'll do that," said Robinson.
The group is also trying to get actor Chris Pratt, a Lake Stevens native, to possibly help in the fundraising effort.
Cox Media Group
