This food bank on South Whidbey Island is all about good cheer. The Good Cheer Food Bank and its Thrift Stores have turned into quite a success story. Good Cheer had originally bought some property near the current location where they were going to build their new facility. Turns out the Masons were looking to sell their site and Good Cheer made the decision to buy the property and structures that now make up the facilities at the Good Cheer Food Bank.

I dropped by the food bank last week to find out a little bit more about the bank and the people that operate it. Most of the work that is done at the food bank and thrift store is done by volunteers. These special people take time out of their lives to help other people and there is no better work than people helping people.

The Good Cheer Food Bank is open six days a week to South Whidbey Residents in need of food. So, how does one access the food bank? Just show up; the staff will ask you some simple questions and you will need to have proof of South Whidbey residency. They trust people when they say they need food. This spirit of trust is reflection of the good people who work hard to make this a better community.

Clients are given a base of 70 points, plus ten extra points for every member of the household. For instance, a family of four would receive 100 points a month to spend on selection of food in the Food Bank.

Foods receive points ranging from one to fifteen for items that include cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, pasta, flour, beans, rice, eggs, milk, bread, lunch meat, peanut butter, jam, noodles, sauces, potatoes, oatmeal, juice, chili, meat, chicken, and fish as available. Fresh fruit and vegetables are also available.

Good Cheer has an on-site garden that provides fresh produce to those in need. I intend to write another post on the garden in the near future. There is so much good coming out of this organization that I don’t have the space to show it all in one post.  The two photos are from the garden blog site; looks to be harvest time!

Good Cheer has a great program for kids in their WIN Program. Whidbey Island Nourishes is sponsored by Good Cheer. This is a volunteer effort that provides free, nutritious sack lunches to people in need (especially children).

The lunches are available for pickup at the Good Cheer Food Bank, Island Coffehouse & Books in Langley and the Good Cheer Two Thrift Store in Clinton.

Here is the link to the Good Cheer website. The website is very informative whether your in need help or you’re just wanting to help out; the website will get you moving in the right direction.

In this economic environment it is clear that people do need help. I know that many of us could use these services, however, we let our egos get in the way. Remember, these programs were set up for people needing help during the tough times that life sometimes hands us.

There are other ways to gain assistance in these tough times. Basic food aid (Food Stamps) sign-ups are now available at Helping Hand on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

A client services coordinator from the Opportunity Council is now available by appointment the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Helping Hand offices in Langley at 816 Camano Ave. opposite the Island County Fairgrounds.

The coordinator will help people determine if they are eligible to receive Basic Food Aid and can also provide help with energy assistance and rental assistance if needed. The representative will be available by appointment between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Appointments should be scheduled in advance by calling Helping Hand at (360) 221-7777 weekday mornings.  The savings that food stamps provide might allow you to treat your kids or just have some extra money available for emergencies.

It is comforting to know that people care. If you find that you need a little help; they are there for you.