The North County Community Food Bank invites the community to join in this year’s Give More 24 on Thursday, Sept. 25, with activities planned both at Central Park and at the food bank’s headquarters.
The annual day of giving comes at a time when the food bank is facing sharply rising costs and growing demand for its services. According to North County Community Food Bank Executive Director Liz Cerveny, the nonprofit has “never needed the community’s help more.”
“Food banks nationwide are impacted by the federal cutbacks and the funding that goes to what’s considered the regional food banks that are distribution hubs, so of course that becomes a trickle-down impact to the feet on the ground food pantries like us,” Cerveny said.
Give More 24 is an annual online-based event hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber. For one 24-hour period, the local community can visit givemore24.org, browse local causes and donate directly to them.
Give More 24’s return comes after a two-year hiatus, having been folded into a statewide fundraiser. As a result, local beneficiaries, such as the North Clark County Food Bank, received fewer donations and fewer visits to their website.
“Most of our donations for those two years were significantly lower than they had been in years prior through Give More 24,” Cerveny recalled. “We're hoping to return back to our higher levels of donations this year with it being sponsored by the Greater Vancouver Chamber.”
She said the nonprofit is registering about 100 new clients each month, on top of the 850 to 900 households already served. Over the course of a year, that adds up to more than 25,000 individuals who rely on the food bank.
“We’re seeing a combination of working families as well as the generation that’s retiring right now, which is a large number, and they’re significantly impacted,” Cerveny said. “There’s still a misconception by many folks that our Social Security is going to be able to help us manage in our retirement days and with the cost of living and the increased costs, especially of food in the last few years, that’s not true.”
Fresh produce, a central part of the food bank’s healthy foods program, is also getting more expensive. Last year, the food bank spent about $150,000 to supplement donations with fruits, vegetables, and other staples.
“There were a number of months that we just couldn’t afford to purchase the eggs and pass those on,” Cerveny said. “We try to stay within the lower range of pricing for the items that we buy, but the costs and the amount are both what we are feeling the impacts of.”
This year’s fundraising goal is $100,000, which Cerveny said would help the organization maintain its produce purchases and offset other growing expenses. Donations will be doubled thanks to $70,500 in matching funds from community partners.
Goat yoga and health clinic planned for Sept. 25
The food bank will host two in-person events as part of Give More 24. Goat Yoga returns from noon to 1 p.m. at Central Park, 414 E. Main St. in Battle Ground. Instructor Chrissie Rasmussen-Becker will lead the session, joined by baby goats from Hoof and Petals farm.
“Come on down and enjoy the hour,” Cerveny said.
The Washington state Department of Health’s Care A Van team will also appear from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the food bank at 17 NE Third Ave. Services will include blood glucose screenings, mental health screenings and A1C testing. All services are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“It’s always (a) community filled with excitement and caring and kindness,” Cerveny said of Give More 24. “I think I’m going into it with a real hope that we see things in our local environment turn around and some positivity come back to everyone with giving and caring and helping others.”
Donations can be made at givemore24.org by searching for North County Community Food Bank.
“If you know you can’t donate funds, you can get involved in terms of volunteering and supporting your local nonprofits that are close to where you live,” Cerveny said. “It’s an opportunity for the whole community to really unite and do good.”
