With the federal government shutdown ending over the weekend, Washington families struggling with food insecurity may finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Over 383,000 Washington families have received November food benefits as of November 12, according to a statement from the Washington state Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). But for those who still haven’t received food benefits or are dealing with lingering effects from the government shutdown, many organizations in Blaine and Birch Bay are offering help.
Read below to see where you can find free and reduced meals and groceries in north Whatcom County. This is an update to an article published in the November 6 issue of The Northern Light.
The Blaine School District Family Service Center (FSC) has been helping local families since 1977, and works in partnership with multiple local charities to provide crisis, housing, food and other resources.
The FSC is open for drop-in office hours 8-11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday or by appointment on weekdays.
Working with local nonprofit Wild Bird Charity that focuses on combating childhood hunger, FSC is providing weekend food bags to students experiencing food insecurity.
FSC coordinator Julie Butschli said the center has seen an increase in sign-ups for the weekend food program. FSC started the school year in August giving out 57 weekend food bags, but that number was up to 68 bags for the first weekend in November.
“The resources that the FSC provides to families and students come directly from the generosity of our local community members,” Butschli wrote in an email. “I have had people donate grocery store cards, gas cards, food cards, it is all very helpful.”
FSC is always searching for donors. For more information, email fsc@blainesd.org.
The Wild Bird Charity is a Whatcom County-based nonprofit started in 2016 with the idea of going wherever children’s needs were not met.
The nonprofit delivers weekend food bags to 32 schools across six Whatcom County school districts, including Blaine schools through its partnership with Blaine’s Family Service Center.
About 60 Wild Bird Charity volunteers donate about 950 food bags every week to children and families in need.
For more information on how to donate, volunteer or receive support, email wildbirdcharity1@gmail.com or call 360/519-7856.
The Ferndale-based Miracle Food Network (MFN) is a nonprofit founded in 2015 dedicated to saving soon-to-be discarded food and getting it to those who need it most.
The nonprofit serves more than 2,000 people weekly through its food distribution centers across Whatcom County, Anacortes and Gold Bar. In 2023, MFN rescued 1.4 million pounds of food.
MFN operates distribution centers in Blaine and Birch Bay, working alongside the Community Assistance Program and The Bridge Community Hope Center.
MFN distributes food 2:30-3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Blaine Christian Fellowship, 902 Adelia Street and distributes food 3:30-5 p.m. Friday at The Bridge Community Hope Center, 7620 Birch Bay Drive.
