In the 14 months or so since it began, A Simple Gesture has brought in about 44,000 pounds of food for those in need.
Saturday in its final pickup of the year, the organization received a record amount of donations — 8,000 pounds of food and household items, gift cards for more than 900 pounds of turkeys and hams and 262 pounds of wrapping paper and tape. More than 60 volunteers worked that day, driving and sorting food at the warehouse.
Now, the program has a new way to distribute that food — through Red Bag Pantries. The pantries are mini food closets that offer more accessibility to food items and other necessities (like hygiene items) with an emphasis on ready-to-eat meals for the homeless.
Public pantries are open to everyone. Pantry visitors are encouraged to take only what they need that day, but registration is not required, according to a press release.
Pantries are located at the Anacortes Police Department, the Fire Department, the Senior Activity Center and the public library. They are each open when the business or organization is open.
The one at the library is the only one open on the weekends.
Private pantries are located at the Anacortes Family Center, Cap Sante High School and Boys & Girls Club. Those are open only to those residents, students and members served by those organizations.
The Cap Sante High School pantry now also includes milk and yogurt purchased with grant funds from the Noon Kiwanis Club and Aktion Club.
Island Hospital also has a small private pantry with food and toiletries to be given to homeless patients when discharged.
A Simple Gesture gives individual donors red bags to be filled with nonperishable food items, toiletries and other necessities. Then volunteers collect the bags every two months and leave an empty bag in its place. The program is aimed at keeping the food bank full year-round.
The next pickup is Saturday, Feb. 11. Volunteers will take the bags to the food bank and sort the donations.
To participate, email asimplegestureanacortes@gmail.com.
