Summer is a time of joy for many families, but it can also bring challenges, especially for those who rely on school meal programs during the academic year. Across Northwest Washington , thousands of families are uncertain where their next meal will come from once school doors close for the summer. Thanks to a caring community, local organizations and school districts have stepped in to help bridge this gap so that no child goes hungry this summer.

Our resource centers can help. They’re located in Bellingham, East Whatcom County, and Island County, and we also partner with resource centers on Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez islands. People and their families can visit their nearest Community Resource Center for help getting connected with Basic Food (EBT) benefits. Our knowledgeable staff can also help you with questions about where to get food when you face obstacles to getting what you need.

The SUN Bucks Summer Program helps families who lose access to free and reduced-price school meals over the summer. Parents and caregivers receive $120 worth of food benefits for each eligible child For more information, visit the Sun Bucks program website.

SNAP Market Match

At over 100 participating farmers markets and farm stands, the SNAP Market Match program allows customers using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to stretch their food budgets further, particularly toward purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables.

Here’s where you can use it:

Island County

• Bayview Farmers Market
• South Whidbey Tilth Farmers Market and Farm Stand

Whatcom County

• Bellingham Farmers Market Association
• Twin Sisters Farmers Market – Birchwood, Bellingham

• Lynden Farmers Market
• Twin Sisters Farmers Market – Deming
• Twin Sisters Farmers Market – Kendall

San Juan County

• Orcas Island Farmers Market

Skagit County

• Anacortes Farmers Market

• Mount Vernon Farmers Market
• Sedro-Woolley Farmers Market
• Concrete Saturday Market

Snohomish County

• Arlington Farmers Market
• Edmonds Museum Summer Market
• Everett Farmers Market
• Lake Stevens Farmers Market
• Monroe Farmers Market
• Snohomish Farmers Market
• Stanwood Farmers Market
• Sultan Farmers Market

Free Summer Meal Programs

Several organizations in the North Sound region offer free summer meal programs:

Whatcom County

• Ferndale School District
  • Eagleridge Elem., 2651 Thornton Rd., Ferndale
  • Open June 24 – July 18, Mon – Thurs, closed July 4. Breakfast at 8:45 – 9:05 a.m., lunch at 12 – 12:20 p.m. Open to all children in the community under 18.
• Lynden School District
  • Agape Food Bank, 516 Main St, Lynden
  • Groceries, meals, and resources available June 19 – Aug 21, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Meridian School District
  • Food Pantry at Irene Reither Elem. School: Family Support Center, 954 E Hemmi Rd #400A, Everson.
  • Open June 26 – Aug 7, Wednesdays, 2 – 5:30 p.m.
• Nooksack Valley School District
  • Nooksack Valley High, 3326 E Badger Rd, Everson
  • Open July 29 – Aug 15, Mon – Thurs, for lunches
• Boys & Girls Club
  • Summer meals are available at the Bellingham and Ferndale Clubs from June 17 to August 23, Monday to Friday. No membership or registration is required.
• Common Threads Farm
  • Basil the Food Truck provides free meals to youth 18 and under from July 2 to August 14 at various locations (including the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center!). Register here.

Island County

• OHPS Free Summer Meals Program: On-Site Meals (Oak Harbor)
  • Visit link for locations and times
  • Open Monday, June 24 – August 16 to kids 18 and under.
• Whidbey Island Nourishes
• Runs from June 20th – August 29th. This program is available to children & teens up to age 18 in the South Whidbey School District. Choose between grocery or ready-to-eat items to be delivered every Thursday.

San Juan County

• Friday Harbor Food Bank Summer Nutrition Program
  • Address: 500 Market Street, Friday Harbor
  • Register to get pickup times for breakfast and lunch items once a week with enough items to last for five days.

Snohomish County

• Stanwood-Camano School District Summer Meal Program
  • Twin City Elementary, 26211 72^nd Ave NW, Stanwood
  • Open June 24 – August 23. Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m., lunch 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Mondays – Fridays.
  • Stanwood High School, 7400 272^nd Ave NW, Stanwood
  • Open July 29 – August 23. Breakfast 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., lunch 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  • Families can pick up Summer Food at the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank at 27030 102^nd Street, Stanwood from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesdays and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

Food Banks and Community Resources

Whatcom County

Bellingham Food Bank

• Free Grocery Program
  • Address: 1824 Ellis St, Bellingham, WA
  • Provides a variety of food items including produce, dairy, and more. Open multiple days a week with no ID required. Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
• Drive Through
  • Address: 4173 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA
  • Sign up to reserve your box. Boxes available are basic, Latin American, Gluten Free, and Vegan. Open 3 – 6 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Island County

Good Cheer Food Bank (Langley)

• Address: 2812 Grimm Rd, Langley, WA
• Operates like a grocery store where clients can select items based on a points system. Open Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM.

North Whidbey Help House (Oak Harbor)

• Address: 1091 SE Hathaway St, Oak Harbor, WA
• Provides food bank services to residents of Oak Harbor and North Whidbey Island. Open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Gifts From the Heart Food Bank (Coupeville)

• Address: 203 N Main St, Coupeville, WA 98239. Located in the Coupeville Boys & Girls Club
• Provides food bank services for Central Whidbey residents on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays of most months from 2 to 5 p.m.

San Juan County

Friday Harbor Food Bank

• Address: 500 Market Street, Friday Harbor
• Provides a free summer meals program for families with school-aged kids, ensuring access to nutritious breakfast and lunch items. Open 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and 12 to 2 p.m. on Thursdays.

Orcas Island Food Bank

• Address: 116 Madrona Street, Eastsound
• Distribute free food for all ages, ethnicities, and dietary requirements. Open 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Lopez Island Food Share

• Address: Lopez Island Family Resource Center, 1008 Dill Rd, Lopez Island, WA
• Food pantry providing equitable access to healthy and nourishing food. Distributes Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for seniors aged 62+ and 12 to 4 p.m. for the general public.

Snohomish County

Stanwood Camano Food Bank (Stanwood)

• Address: 27030 102nd Ave NW, Stanwood, WA
• Operates a grocery store model providing a range of foods including staples, fresh produce, and more. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Summer should be a time of joy and relaxation for all families. By leveraging these resources, we can ensure that it stays that way, without the stress of food insecurity. Whether through EBT benefits, farmers markets, free meal programs, or local food banks, these resources are vital in ensuring that no child goes hungry over the summer.

For more detailed information on each resource, visit their websites. Sign up for Basic Food Benefits (EBT/SNAP) or visit your local Community Resource Center.