A meal can be easy to take for granted. But in Clallam County, over 10,700 are food insecure, including one in four children. That data was from a Feeding America 2019 study and the need is even greater today. Food insecurity is defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household.
Organizations like the Port Angeles Food Bank aim to address this need through their vision of cultivating a hunger-free community through service, education and partnerships. In support of their mission, First Fed is matching donations made to the Port Angeles Food Bank up to a combined total of $10,000. Donations must be made in branches through Dec. 31 so that they can be tracked for the match.
The Port Angeles Food Bank had 47,000 individual visits in 2020, during which they served 200,000 meals each month via their drive thru. In the last year, 57 percent of Port Angeles households came to get food from the Food Bank grocery market, and their impact doesn’t stop there. They also provide food to numerous other food banks on the peninsula, including Sequim, Forks, New Hope, Salvation Army, Tribal food banks and more.
Food bags ready to go out for delivery. Photo courtesy of Port Angeles Food Bank.
For the last 41 years, the Port Angeles Food Bank has relied on an annual Food-a-Thon fundraiser. With the loss of that fundraiser this year, they were left with a $40,000 funding gap to fill. Among other needs, donations will help to finish their commercial kitchen which will provide to-go meals and support local community meal programs.
“It’s incredible for First Fed to step up to help fill this gap,” said Emily Dexter, Executive Director of the Port Angeles Food Bank. “In addition to encouraging donations, they are matching them, which is a huge gesture that we really appreciate.”
“The Port Angeles Food Bank has a major impact on the lives of everyone they serve,” added Matt Deines, CEO of First Fed. “First Fed is happy to support the PA Food Bank’s mission of nourishing our community. We encourage everyone to give where they can – every dollar counts.”
Donations can be made by cash, check, or account transfer in one of our Port Angeles branches by close of business on Dec. 31, 2022. Or if you have a First Fed account you can donate by phone at
First Fed is a member FDIC and equal housing lender.