CAP running new food distribution program in Blaine

Blaine’s Community Assistance Program (CAP) started distributing food to families in need on March 31 at Blaine Christian Fellowship, 902 Adelia Street. The new program, called The Food Connection, has about 20 families registered so far. If the program grows beyond 30 families or individuals, CAP volunteers say that they will distribute food at additional sites on additional days of the week.

“We have three other churches in different neighborhoods that have agreed to be distribution sites for this program,” said CAP volunteer Laura Vogee. “Our goal is for people to be able to get food as close to their own homes as possible.”

Pre-registration is required to participate in the program. People can sign up for The Food Connection by emailing their name and phone number to info@blainecap.org. Those without email access can call 360/392-8484 and leave a message. One of CAP’s volunteers will get back to you to finish the registration process and let you know when and where you can pick up food. For those who are not able to pick up the food themselves, delivery may be available. Additional information is available online at blainecap.org.

CAP’s program works with Ferndale’s Miracle Food Network (MFN) and Sustainable Connections (SC) of Bellingham to get access to surplus foods from restaurants and other food service establishments that would otherwise be wasted, said Vogee. MFN and SC both have crews of volunteers that pick up surplus foods each day from businesses around Whatcom County. This program is able to accept prepared, perishable foods that food banks are not able to accept, and the foods are carefully handled according to health department guidelines.

Much of the food is taken to the MFN packaging kitchen at Good News Fellowship in east Ferndale, where it is repackaged into family and individual-sized portions. Boxes are then packed with a variety of foods for each registered family and picked up by the organizations and individuals that will distribute them to families.

“This program accomplishes a twofold purpose – keeping good food out of landfills and nourishing hungry families in our communities,” said Vogee. “Since it is all based on what surplus foods businesses have available, the types and quantities of foods can vary greatly from day to day and week to week.”

Several Blaine businesses have already been donating food to this program, said Vogee. “Our goal is to get more Blaine and Birch Bay businesses on board to help feed local families, especially during this time of crisis,” she said. “With many restaurants being closed or operating on a limited basis, we understand that many will not have surplus foods right now. However, with so many people in our community experiencing job loss and financial crisis, any foods donated will be a huge blessing to local families.”

Once the COVID-19 crisis passes, CAP hopes more local restaurants will choose to participate. If it starts getting more foods from local restaurants, CAP plans to start packaging the foods in Blaine so that local food will be feeding local families without having to leave the community for packaging. If any local businesses have surplus foods available, they can contact CAP at info@blainecap.org for more information.

For residents of Birch Bay, The Bridge Community Hope Center is operating a separate food distribution program. For more information about The Bridge’s program, visit thebridgehope.com.