Over the past two years the Whatcom County Food Bank Network received tremendous and unprecedented support from Whatcom County Council. In 2025 the network received $750,000 for food purchases and in 2026 this grew to $1,250,000. All of the funds were spent to buy vital food for our communities. The support came in response to a massive increase in need, strong advocacy from people like you, and the courage of the County Council to listen and act.

In early September the Executive will release a draft budget for Whatcom County. We know the county is facing challenging budgeting times. 1 in 4 local families visit a Whatcom County food bank to deal with food insecurity. They too, are also facing dire budget challenges.

The Whatcom County Food Bank Network is a coalition of 11 food banks that includes Bellingham Food Bank. Every week, the Whatcom County Food Bank Network responds to more than 9,000 visits from hungry families. 50% of the people who need and eat that food are infants, children and seniors. As costs of living grow for all of us, the number of people who need help with food also grows. 
We cannot afford to lose any support for food purchases.

The Whatcom County Food Bank Network is prepared to respond to the draft budget that will be released soon. We need your help. We will need you to implore the County Council to once again be brave and righteous and find funding for food purchases for the Whatcom County Food Bank Network. Please be ready to write letters, make phone calls, send emails, and speak publicly about why you think Whatcom County must continue a similar level of support for hungry families.

This is a Call to Action! Click the link below to get involved and use your voice in support of hungry neighbors. And, get ready to be heard.

A RECORD BREAKING YEAR!

You helped us raise over $460,000, including matching donations, for Hunger VS Hunger, where BFB volunteer Ethan Hunger broke the world record for the number of sprint triathlons completed in one day. If you think that is a lot, you would be right. Ethan swam 5.5 miles, biked 136.4 miles, and ran 34.1 miles in 24 hours, beating the record of 18 sprint triathlons with a whopping 22. Not only that, but Ian Steger teamed up with Ethan and completed a full Ironman at the same time, while raising money from his supporters. Both are brutal challenges that were met head on while community rallied hard behind them.

Ethan crosses the finish line after completing 22 sprint triathlons. 
Photo Credit: Cascadia Daily News

But wait… there’s MORE. 
The goal for Hunger VS Hunger was to raise $500,000 and we are bound and determined to meet it. How might you ask?


Introducing the:
First Annual Barkie Classic:

The Most Festive Golf Tournament You’ll Ever Attend.

We (Bellingham Food Bank, and volunteers Ethan Hunger and Ian Steger) have teamed up with Barkie AI to throw a golf tournament that goes beyond your wildest dreams. You want it, we’ve got it. If you win the Hole in One, we have a $10,000 cash prize or even a 3-night stay in Bermuda just for you. But that’s not all... We will be raffling 14 carat gold and diamond earrings, Seahawks tickets, a full guided day of salmon fishing in the San Juans, and more! You can even pay our on-course hecklers to mess with rival teams—but beware: their loyalty is always for sale. If the other team outbids you, the heckling stops… or gets turned right back on you. 


All net proceeds go to Bellingham Food Bank and can be matched under the Hunger Vs Hunger campaign, magnifying your impact. There are ONLY 2 tickets left and they will be gone fast! Secure your spot today. When we sell out of tickets, the only way to play is to sponsor. Click "Be a Sponsor" below to email us with your name, company, and sponsorship offer.

Help us meet our goal of raising $500,000 with Hunger Vs Hunger.


'Tis the Season for Gleaning!

Want to see your fresh produce stocking our shelves? Become a farm participant today in our Gleaning Program!


Our dedicated Gleaning Team is seeking more local farms to participate in food bank gleaning. Our volunteers harvest thousands of pounds of produce each season from local farms and orchards to feed families in need across Whatcom County. We are here to help you get that surplus crop out of the field, clean-out a row as the season ends, or pick loaded fruit trees, and get that food to people in your community!

To send our gleaners to your property please contact: 
Sion Calabretta 
360-303-0912
glean@bellinghamfoodbank.org

To learn more about Gleaning go to:

www.bellinghamfoodbank.org/glean/