Ferndale Food Bank sees record numbers

By Sarah McCauley Staff Reporter

FERNDALE — If you step into the kitchen of the Ferndale Food Bank, you’ll encounter a synchronized flurry of action as volunteers work to meet the needs of the Ferndale community.

Be on your toes, ready to dodge a volunteer rolling a cart of produce headed one way, and another one carrying cans of fruit headed the other direction.

According to Jill Hough, co-director of the Ferndale Food Bank, the food bank serves more than 1,000 people each week as it reaches about 300 households.

An impressive but somewhat troubling number knowing that it means so many people are in need. Hough has a saying to this point she likes to share.

“We’re the only business that would be much happier if we went out of business,” Hough said.

Picturing a food bank, one might imagine pre-made bags of groceries ready to be handed out, or a bunch of the same hot meal ready to go. But a one-size-fits all approach is not how the Ferndale Food Bank operates

Instead, they offer their clients the chance to fill out a grocery list with about 50 items to choose from. This ensures they receive food they actually need. Plus, the food bank is arranged with a little market in front where clients are able to pick out their own produce.

They take into account dietary needs such as vegetarianism, gluten-free foods, or Halal meats.

Volunteers work to ensure those who stop by in need of a meal leave with food that actually meets their unique needs.

Hough said they like to remind people that truly all are welcome. They will help anyone in need of support. She said even if it’s just one week where a person finds themselves in a position struggling to put food on the table, they are welcome to come by to get some food.

“The message we really want to get out is if you or your family is struggling, even if you don’t think you’re the kind of person who goes to the food bank,” Hough said. “If you’re struggling, please come and check us out.”

Hough explained that the list has changed over the years into what it is now, as the food bank is constantly growing and evolving to meet the needs of the community. They are evolving even more so now as demand has increased greatly since households stopped receiving emergency funds.

On March 1, the federal government ended the temporary benefit increases given to households relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) throughout the pandemic. Hough said they saw a 30% surge in the number of people they were serving in the weeks immediately after the additional funding for households stopped coming.

“But people’s needs have not changed,” Hough said. “Costs are still up.”