8/17/26:
Help Us Maintain County Food Bank Funding
Over the past two years the Whatcom Food Bank Network received tremendous and unprecedented support from Whatcom County Council. In 2025 the network received $750,000 for food purchses and in 2026 this grew to $1,250,000. All of the funds were spent to buy vital food for our communities. The support came in response to a massive increase in need, strong advocacy from people like you, and the courage of the County Council to listen and act.
In early September the Executive will release a draft budget for Whatcom County. We know the county is facing challenging budgeting times. 1 in 4 local families visit a Whatcom County food bank to deal with food insecurity. They too, are also facing dire budget challenges.
The Whatcom Food Bank Network is a coalition of 11 food banks that includes Bellingham Food Bank. Every week, the Whatcom Food Bank Network responds to more than 9,000 visits from hungry families. 50% of the people who need and eat that food are infants, children and seniors. As costs of living grow for all of us, the number of people who need help with food also grows.
We cannot afford to lose any support for food purchases.
The Whatcom Food Bank Network is prepared to respond to the draft budget that will be released soon. We need your help. We will need you to implore the County Council to once again be brave and righteous and find funding for food purchases for the Whatcom County Food Bank Network. Please be ready to write letters, make phone calls, send emails, and speak publicly about why we think Whatcom County must continue a similar level of support for hungry families.
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