Year in review: Point Roberts Food Bank

The Point Roberts Food Bank continues to serve the community, assisting about 70 clients weekly. The food bank sources its supplies from a network that includes the Bellingham regional food bank and distribution center, local grocery stores, Christ the King farm, bakeries and various community donations. In 2024, the food bank saw a notable increase in demand, with a 13 percent rise in the number of people served compared to 2023, consistent with food banks across the county.

The food bank recently launched two initiatives. The first is establishing a Food Pantry outside the community center. The pantry, stocked with non-perishable items such as canned proteins and vegetables, is accessible to anyone in need, reinforcing the food bank’s mission to provide continuous support.

The second initiative is a more ambitious, long-term project: the construction of a food warehouse storage facility. This facility will be built on property acquired in 2023, and the food bank has already applied for a conditional use permit to move forward. The food bank has relied on temporary solutions for years, including an unheated container and shared refrigeration space at a local store. The new facility will provide much-needed, climate-controlled storage space, ensuring a more efficient operation and better preservation of food.

The Point Roberts Food Bank’s work is supported entirely by generous contributions from many individual donors, the fire department, and local businesses. Community members can drop off food donations at the International Marketplace or contribute financially at Umpqua Bank or via PayPal on the food bank’s website, prfoodbank.org.

As 2024 comes to a close, the food bank looks forward to 2025 and the significant progress it represents – culminating in a permanent, well-equipped facility that will enhance its ability to serve the community for years to come.