As quarantine drags on, food banks are experiencing shortages and increased demand. Many are struggling to keep up with the increase of those needing food, especially fresh food. Along with a disparate amount of supply compared to demand, food banks are unable to have as many volunteers in one place anymore.

According to Clark County Food Banks’ website, volunteers must email beforehand and schedule a certain time in order to volunteer. The Clark County Food Bank has also begun scheduling pop-up distributors, and their locations can be found here. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports households most at risk for food insecurity are those headed by single women with children, followed by black, non-hispanic households (Source). Households with incomes underneath the 185% poverty line are also commonly struggling with food insecurity. On average, most households suffering from food insecurity are dealing with it around 7 months out of every year. 

As of now, most food banks are in need of non-perishable and canned goods that are “shelf-stable”, meaning that they can be kept in a pantry for extended periods of time without spoiling. These foods include but are not limited to peanut butter and other nut butters, canned soup, fruit, vegetables, fish and beans, whole grain pasta, and brown rice. Canned meat, non-frozen microwavable meals, and oatmeal are also accepted as donations. 

Food banks also accept donations from restaurants. Will Connelly, whose mother Karla Connelly is the regional manager for restaurant chain WildFin, said that though WildFIn was shut down due to COVID-19, the restaurant still had frozen food.

Connelly’s mother and himself drove down to Camas’ Jack, Will, & Rob Center and donated crates of apples and oranges. “They were grateful for the large perishable donation on delivery day,” Connelly says, “so struggling families would be able to eat fresh produce that hadn’t spoiled.”

Prices of food have gone up since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S. Specifically, the prices of beef, poultry, eggs, and fish have gone up. According to USA Today, prices have shot up to the highest one-month increase since 1974. On average, grocery prices have gone up 4.1%. 

Though not everyone can volunteer or donate food, small financial donations also help food banks to continue providing their services to households and individuals in need. 

Below is a list of food banks located in Southwest Washington provided by Washington’s U.S. Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler.

Clark County:

FISH of Vancouver: Monday – Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm

Address: 906 Harney St, Vancouver

Phone: 360-695-4903

Martha’s Pantry: 

Tuesdays 10:00am to 1:00pm for referred clients; Thursday 4:00pm to 7:00pm open for general public

Address: 1220 NE 68th St, Vancouver

 Phone: 360-695-1480

Clark County Adventist Community Services: Monday and Tuesday 9:30am to 3:00pm

Address: 3114 E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver

Phone: 360-695-8632

FISH – Orchards: Monday – Friday 10:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 2:30pm  

Address: 6012 NE 110th Ave, Vancouver

Phone: 360-256-2440

Inter-Faith Treasure House: Monday – Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm

Address: 91 C St, Washougal

Phone: 360-834-4181

Battle Ground Adventist Community Service: Tuesday 1:00pm to 5:30pm; Thursday 10:00am to 4:00pm

Address:11001 NE 189th St, Battle Ground

Phone: 360-687-3459

North County Community Food Bank: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 11:15am; Monday – Thursday 1:30 pm to 3:15pm

Address: 17 NE 3rd Ave, Battle Ground

Phone: 360-687-5007

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Tuesday – Friday 10:00am to 12:45pm

Address: 21814 NW 11th Ave, Ridgefield

Phone: 360-887-3354

St. Vincent de Paul Society: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30am to 12:30pm

Address: 11607 NE 87th Ave, Vancouver

Phone: 360-573-7199

Lewis River Mobile Food Bank: 1st and 2nd Sunday of the month

Address: 38615 NE 41st Ave, La Center

Phone: 360-263-5763

Lewis River Mobile Food Bank: 3rd Sunday of the month

Address: Yacolt Community Church 509 W Cushman, Yacolt

Phone: 360-263-5763

Lewis River Mobile Food Bank: 4th Sunday of the month

Address: La Center Evangelical Free Church 111 E. Fifth St, La Center

Phone: 360-263-5763

Cowlitz

Woodland Action: Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm (check in before 4:45pm)

Address: 736 Davidson Ave, Woodland

Phone: 360-225-9998

Kalama Helping Hand: Tuesday 11:00am to 2:00pm

Address: 191 Coverdale Rd, Kalama

Phone: 360-673-2814

Faith Center Food Bank: Thursday 10:00am to 1:00pm, stay in car

Address: 1209 Minor Rd, Kelso

Phone: 360-577-0620

Salvation Army: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Address: 1639 10th Ave, Longview

Phone: 360-423-3992

Lower Columbia CAP: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 9:00am to 3:00pm, drive up only

Address: 1526 Commerce Ave, Longview

Phone: 360-425-3430

FISH – St. Rose Church: Call in the mornings 9:00am to 11:00am

Address: 702 26th Ave, Longview

Phone: 360-636-1100

Food Lifeline Mobile Food Program at Archie Anderson Park:

274 22nd Ave, Longview

Distributing prepacked boxes and bags

St. Vincent de Paul – Longview Food Bank: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30am to11:30am, drive through. Walk-ins can go to the walk-in area.

Address: 1222 Baltimore St, Longview

Phone: 360-577-0662

Castle Rock Lions Club Food Bank: Thursday 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Address: 224 Huntington Ave. S, Castle Rock

Phone: 360-751-2826

Skamania

Stevenson Food Bank: Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am to 12:00pm, 1:00pm to 3:30pm

Address: 683 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson

Phone: 509-427-4334