Rotary Club to hold fundraising celebration at new
Bellingham Food Bank
July 8, 2008 -- After three years of planning, fundraising and construction, the Bellingham Food Bank will have a Rotary Ribbon Cutting from 4-6 PM on Thursday, July 31 at 1824 Ellis St. The Bellingham Rotary Club, the Bellingham Bay Rotary Club and the Sunrise Rotary Club were instrumental in the creation of the Food Bank, from their initial $250,000 cash pledge to leading the fundraising efforts for construction.
Through Rotary's involvement, all architecture and engineering services were donated, and many manufacturers, suppliers and subcontractors donated materials or labor, or both. In-kind contributions total nearly $500,000. Major cash donors, besides the three Rotary clubs, include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; the State of Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; the City of Bellingham; Haggen and The Medina Foundation. Total cash donations exceed $1,600,000.
Rotary District 5050 Governor Larry Stinson, representing 55 Rotary clubs in Northwest Washington and the Fraser Valley, will be on hand at the ribbon cutting, and invitations have been extended to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Bellingham Food Bank receives 7,000 visits each month. In 2007 there were 77,000 client visits at the food bank, and it distributed more than 1.7 million pounds of food. In the first three months of 2008, the Bellingham Food Bank was 25% busier than it was in 2007. Without sufficient food or nutrition, it is nearly impossible for anyone to be successful. Children make up 35% of Bellingham Food Bank clients, and senior citizens make up 16% - two vulnerable populations. There is ample evidence describing the difficulties children have in school and the increased risk for older adults when they are hungry and/or under-nourished.
Upon seeing the new facility for the first time, one customer remarked "The old building made me feel second class. This place makes me feel proud even though I still need help."
For more information, contact:
Click here to downloand a pdf version of this press release.
July 8, 2008 -- After three years of planning, fundraising and construction, the Bellingham Food Bank will have a Rotary Ribbon Cutting from 4-6 PM on Thursday, July 31 at 1824 Ellis St. The Bellingham Rotary Club, the Bellingham Bay Rotary Club and the Sunrise Rotary Club were instrumental in the creation of the Food Bank, from their initial $250,000 cash pledge to leading the fundraising efforts for construction.
Through Rotary's involvement, all architecture and engineering services were donated, and many manufacturers, suppliers and subcontractors donated materials or labor, or both. In-kind contributions total nearly $500,000. Major cash donors, besides the three Rotary clubs, include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; the State of Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; the City of Bellingham; Haggen and The Medina Foundation. Total cash donations exceed $1,600,000.
Rotary District 5050 Governor Larry Stinson, representing 55 Rotary clubs in Northwest Washington and the Fraser Valley, will be on hand at the ribbon cutting, and invitations have been extended to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Bellingham Food Bank receives 7,000 visits each month. In 2007 there were 77,000 client visits at the food bank, and it distributed more than 1.7 million pounds of food. In the first three months of 2008, the Bellingham Food Bank was 25% busier than it was in 2007. Without sufficient food or nutrition, it is nearly impossible for anyone to be successful. Children make up 35% of Bellingham Food Bank clients, and senior citizens make up 16% - two vulnerable populations. There is ample evidence describing the difficulties children have in school and the increased risk for older adults when they are hungry and/or under-nourished.
Upon seeing the new facility for the first time, one customer remarked "The old building made me feel second class. This place makes me feel proud even though I still need help."
For more information, contact:
| Mike Cohen, Executive Director Bellingham Food Bank p: 360-676-0392 bfbanked@openaccess.org Margaret Curtis, PE President, Bellingham Rotary 733-6100 |
Tim McEvoy President, Bellingham Bay Rotary 734-5650 Michael E. Smith, FAIA President, Bellingham Sunrise Rotary 734-4744 |
Click here to downloand a pdf version of this press release.
