When some think of hunger, images of bustling cities or faraway countries come to mind. But many are surprised to learn that nearly 40 percent of Whatcom County households – or almost 90,000 people – can’t afford basic needs such as food. Industrial Credit Union is working hard to combat this problem with their Feed the Need Community Food Drive, now in its 24th year. Their goal: to raise $150,000 for Whatcom County food banks.
Local Food Banks Feed Those in Need
There are over a dozen food banks throughout Whatcom County, each of which is committed to helping those in need. The Bellingham Food Bank serves as the hunger relief hub of our region, with a mission to defeat hunger. Each year their warehouse brings in up to two million pounds of food, which is then stored and re-distributed to food bank partners throughout Whatcom County. Serving over 1,350 families every week, the Bellingham Food Bank wants every visitor to get the help they need, but it isn’t easy. Whatcom County food banks rely on both monetary and food donations so they can keep their doors open, and they need your help.
Whatcom County State of Hunger:
- Nearly 20 percent of Bellingham residents visit a food bank on a regular basis
- 35 percent of food bank recipients are children
- More than 50 percent of recipients are senior citizens and children
- 44 percent of food bank households have at least 1 family member working
- 52 percent of food bank recipients have a form of college education
- 1 in 5 Whatcom County households use a food bank
Feeding the Need
What began as a small food drive in 1994 has grown into Whatcom County’s largest annual food drive. Since its inception, Industrial Credit Union’s Feed the Need Community Food Drive has resulted in over 30,000 volunteer hours donated, over 2.7 million pounds of food collected and over $500,000 raised, resulting in approximately 15 million meals.
This year’s food drive kicks off on Saturday, September 29 with the 6th annual Food Truck Round Up and runs through October 12. During this two week period, donations can be made at any Whatcom County Haggen Food & Pharmacy location or Industrial Credit Union branch. All donations collected will be distributed to Whatcom County food banks, and both monetary and food donations are welcome. If you’re looking to make the greatest impact, please consider donating money; every $1 donated to this worthy cause can be stretched to at least $8 worth of food as a result of the food bank’s buying power. Through buying programs available only to food banks, they are able to secure various items at the times they are needed most – including proteins and perishables that are essential to a well-balanced diet. And because every family has different needs, it’s important that food banks are able to use these cash donations effectively to purchase the items needed in their specific area.
The Feed the Need Community Food Drive isn’t a success without you, the community members. It’s up to you to make this food drive as impactful as it can possibly be.
6th Annual Food Truck Round Up
Industrial Credit Union’s kick-off event will take place at the Barkley Village Green on Saturday, September 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Food Truck Round Up features 24 local food trucks, beer from Kulshan Brewing Co. and Twin Sisters Brewing, and live music by SpaceBand. The event is family-friendly and a great way to try local food from a range of mobile eateries.
The new location of this year’s Food Truck Round Up provides a cozy picnic-like feel with a large grassy area, along with the openness to comfortably host the full line-up for the largest food truck event north of Seattle!
Returning trucks from last year’s event include Goat Mountain Pizza, Back East BBQ, Sugar Shack, Tornado Potato and Feast, which was voted “Best Food Truck” at last year’s event.
This year’s event will also see some exciting new food truck additions, such as Sage Against the Machine, a plant-based food truck featuring exclusively vegan and vegetarian options. Other new trucks include Trailer Hash, Poutine Your Mouth and Weeny Bunz. For a full list of participating food trucks, please click here.
Tickets for the Food Truck Round Up are on sale at all Industrial Credit Union branches for just $7 per person and the entry fee is waived for children under 12.
To make purchases at the event, you need to obtain Truck Bucks – the event currency. These allow you to buy food and beverages; no vendors participating in the event will be able to accept cash or plastic. Don’t forget: although kids under 12 receive free entry, they still need Truck Bucks to buy food.
Helpful Truck Bucks Tips
It’s strongly recommended that you purchase both entry tickets and Truck Bucks ahead of time to ensure entry into the event. Plus, it allows you to beat the long lines that form.
But how many Truck Bucks should you plan on buying? Most food trucks will be offering entrees between $6 and $10, with sides or small plates in the $1 to $5 range. Beers are available for $4 each. Use this information as a guide to determine your Truck Bucks budget for the event.
If you end up with unused Truck Bucks, don’t worry; all leftover Truck Bucks can be donated to benefit Whatcom County Food Banks. You may also choose to turn them in for a refund when you leave the Food Truck Round Up, or use them to enter to win one of the great raffle prizes!
Industrial Credit Union’s Feed the Need Food Truck Round Up takes place Saturday, September 29 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Barkley Village Green (2215 Rimland Drive in Bellingham). The Feed the Need Community Food Drive will take place September 29 through October 12. Stop by any Whatcom County Haggen Food & Pharmacy store or Industrial Credit Union branch during this time to donate to our local food banks and help those in need.
The 6th annual Food Truck Round Up is presented by the Ben Kinney Team. The event would not be possible without the generous support of the following local businesses: The Ben Kinney Team, Kulshan Brewing Co., Twin Sisters Brewing, Nature’s Path Foods, Haggen Food & Pharmacy, Lithtex NW Printing Solutions, Barkley Village, Northwest Chevrolet of Bellingham, Ideation Design Group and more. Proceeds from the Food Truck Round Up benefit Whatcom County food banks.
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