More about the process:
At OIFB, you’ll receive a warm welcome, fresh produce and protein, much of it locally grown or raised, and foods that suit customers of all ages, ethnicities, and dietary requirements, at no charge. On first visit, customers are asked to register with their name and address and to self-declare that they meet the income qualification. No proof of citizenship, legal residency, or SSN is requested. Even a customer who prefers not to register receives food.
INCOME - The pandemic revealed a long-overdue need. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) —a federal program that ensures that low-income Americans have access to food at no cost — raised its maximum income limit to 400% of poverty level. As a result, about half of Orcas Island residents qualify to receive free food at OIFB. Here are the guidelines:
Household size of 1 - if annual household income is at or below $54,360, you are eligible for free food.
Household size of 2 - if annual household income is at or below $73,240, you are eligible for free food.
Add $18,880 for each additional family member.
GET A CARD - We have a new and updated registration system which allows us to issue customer cards! Once registered, we can issue you a customer card which makes your check-in process as simple as scanning your card during each visit. If you register on our website simple ask the registration person to issue you a card at check-in during your first visit. If you lose your card, we are able to issue a new one.
These cards allow for a speedy process which makes your check-in process as simple as scanning your card during each visit.
ABOUT OUR REGISTRATION SYSTEM
In addition to being excited about less manual entry during customer check-in we are most looking forward to more accurate information for improved grant writing. This helps us keep food coming through the door! The new system is designed to pull reports based on collective data, not individual customers. This means when we pull reports your name, address, or other personal identifers are not included, only things like the total number of youth ages 2-18 or how many total customers are also registered as veterans, as an example. Your honest answers help us with grant funding, food security advocacy, and serving you better. While there is an option to answer ".
How to use the online registration system
Hit the link above that say "REGISTER"
Then click on New User? Create Acount.
Then click on I Don't Have This
On the next few pages, you will be asked to self-declare some information about you and your household. You will never need to provide proof for the answers you give. If there are questions you do not want to answer, please mark those: "Undisclosed".
You do not have to complete the registration to receive groceries or services*. If you prefer not to register, please proceed to your local agency to check-in.
If you are new to the Food Bank, you can register yourself at home using the registration button above or come to our location and we can register you in person! Once registered, we can issue you a customer card which makes your check-in process as simple as scanning your card during each visit. It only takes a few minutes, so please stop by!
HOME DELIVERIES - The Orcas Island Food Bank partners with other island organizations to deliver bags of fresh groceries to customers who are homebound or unable to come in for other reasons. Every Thursday, we pack a bag of assorted goods that reflect our weekly offerings to our registered customers. This includes fresh vegetables, a protein option, dairy products, pantry staples, kid snacks, and a variety of other goods. We also cater to dietary considerations—the more you enjoy your bag, the happier we are!
If you are interested in signing up for our home delivery service, call the Food Bank number (360) 376-4445 before 4pm Wednesday to get added to the list for the upcoming Thursday delivery. We'll ask some questions about household size, dietary considerations, and address. After you are signed up with us, we ask that you call us to let us know if your needs or delivery information change.
FOR QUESTIONS - contact Amanda Sparks, our Executive Director, at 360.376.4445 or email Amanda@orcasfoodbank.org
