Home Page

We depend upon your donations to keep our shelves stocked. Please make a donation today using the link below. Thank you!

FLASH ALERT: A record 830 local families came to Good Cheer Food Bank in December seeking supplemental food. Our numbers are way up... please help keep our shelves stocked at this busy time of year by making a donation. We also very much need your item donations for our Thrift Stores. Thank you!

Good Cheer is committed to creating a hunger-free community on South Whidbey Island.

Our Mission: Fund and manage an accessible Food Bank
Operate and promote successful Thrift Stores
Involve the community as volunteers, donors, and recipients

Good Cheer is South Whidbey's first community charity and has been helping people since 1962.

Good Cheer is the only food bank on South Whidbey, which has a population of about 15,800 people. The charity, which operates the food bank, an item receiving and distribution center, two general thrift stores and a clothing boutique thrift store, is run by 13 staff members and now more than 470 volunteers. It is overseen by a 15-member elected Board of Directors representing our diverse community. Board members hold office for 3 years.

Good Cheer is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization funded from three separate sources: income from its two thrift stores and clothing boutique, community donations, and a few small state grants. Good Cheer Thrift Store proceeds are generated by selling locally donated quality, still-usable clothing, shoes, housewares, books, furniture and appliances at its two South Whidbey Thrift Stores in Langley and Clinton.

Monetary donations to Good Cheer are tax-deductible and very much appreciated year-round. Checks may be mailed to Good Cheer Food Bank / PO Box 144 / Langley, WA 98260.

Hunger Needs In Our Community
Our numbers once again increased dramatically in 2009, as 5,046 individuals -- 1,002 more people than in 2008 -- turned to the Food Bank at least once during the year to help put food on the table.

Due to the high cost of living on South Whidbey and low island wages, we find that we are serving many families where either one or both parents are employed, in other words, the working poor; people who have lost their jobs; seniors on fixed incomes; the homeless; and the disabled on fixed incomes.

Good Cheer has developed an innovative food points system which empowers clients to choose their own foods in a grocery-like setting using monthly points based upon household size. Selection of fresh produce is encouraged through low-points for these healthful items.An on-site garden, tended with great community involvement, provides fresh-picked produce.

Don't miss "It's Spaghetti Nite at Harry's Pizza" on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. All proceeds from spaghetti and spaghetti & meatball dinners will be donated to Good Cheer Food Bank. For orders to go, call 331-9090.

(This article by Roy Jacobson, is from The South Whidbey Record. Photos by Kathy McLaughlin.)

The unselfish spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sowed more philanthropic seeds in the South Whidbey community on Monday.

More than 35 volunteers, many of them students, turned out at three community garden locations to honor the late civil rights leader with a day of service.

“People just kept coming,” Good Cheer garden manager Cary Peterson said late Monday. “We got so much done.”

The event was organized by the South Whidbey School District, South Whidbey Commons in Langley, local AmeriCorps representatives and Good Cheer Food Bank.

Teams of volunteers worked at Good Cheer’s garden near Bayview Corner, at the garden at nearby Bayview School and at the community garden behind Langley Middle School in Langley.

Despite a blustery early morning Monday, the volunteers were rewarded with a lovely, warm, spring-like day. There was even sunshine.

“It’s been wonderful,” Peterson said about noon Monday as she directed workers to waiting projects. “I’m so happy it didn’t rain.”

Construction of the Good Cheer garden began a year ago as volunteers responded to President Obama’s call for a national day of service to honor King.

Throughout the past year, the garden, on about a third of an acre and almost entirely volunteer supported, produced more than 5,500 pounds of fruits and vegetables for the adjacent food bank, Peterson said.

On Monday, work focused on stringing a wire fence around the base of beds to keep the rabbits out, on improving composting areas, and putting a roof on the new garden shed being constructed with recycled wood. Volunteers also helped clean out new beds and terraces.

Helpers included about 10 members of the Inca Pride Alpaca 4-H Club, who come mostly from the Langley-Clinton area.

“We wanted to give so the garden could give more,” said club general leader Pam Uhlig of Langley, as she helped students dig a trench to anchor a bunny fence.

“I thought it would be a nice thing to do,” said David Nehring, 16, of Langley as he manipulated a shovel. Assisting him were his shoveling sisters, Sarah, 11 and Martha, 13.

Elsewhere in the garden, volunteers Mully Mullally and Doug Allderdice, both of

Langley, were busy weeding a terrace and contemplating King’s philosophy.

“I believe in his mission and goals,” Mullally said. “It’s how you go out and change your community.”

Behind Bayview School, a quartet of volunteers were busy constructing a three-section compost bin to help nourish the nearby school plot.

“We’re getting it ready to garden again,” said coordinator Laurel Cutrona of Langley.

Michelle Wolfensparger of Langley and her daughter Megan, 16, a volunteer at South Whidbey Commons’ Island Coffeehouse & Books, piled soil on a tarp and hefted it to one of the composting areas.

“I’ve always want to garden, and figured this is a good way to see what it’s like,” Megan said.

“I’m the world’s best dirt sifter,” said Eric Vanderbilt, a South Whidbey High School student and another coffeehouse volunteer.

“They invited me to do it, and I said that’s great,” Vanderbilt added as he pulled a fat earthworm from the compost pile.

“Worms just seem to migrate here,” he said. “I’m not sure how they know to come, but they do.”

At Langley Middle School, volunteers worked on an irrigation system at the garden. Its produce, grown by students and community members, is donated to Good Cheer.

The day’s events also included collection of food and books to benefit the food bank.

Items can still be dropped off at Island Coffeehouse & Books,124 Second St. in Langley.

Good Cheer Board Of Director Gene White Receives National Award for Global and National Child Nutrition Efforts

Gene White of Clinton, president of the Global Child Nutrition Foundation, was recently presented with the Silver Friend of Child Nutrition Award by the National Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME) Award program.

White was honored at the FAME award ceremony held Jan. 10 at the Sawgrass Marriott Hotel in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. during the School Nutrition Association’s Child Nutrition Industry Conference.

White was recognized for her dedication of more than five decades of service to the cause of providing healthy meals for students in American schools.

White spent more than 20 years as a foodservice director in a rural district in California, where she began her crusade to provide healthy meals for students. Her first successes were working with governors Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown to sign legislation to gain funding for nutritious school-meal programs.

White served as the state director of California, and also as the president of the American School Food Service Association, known today as the School Nutrition Association. She was able to work extensively with policy makers on a state and national level to continue her advocacy of feeding children around the world.

Though retired, White’s dedication to the cause of child and school nutrition has not changed. She consults for the United Nations World Food Program and has used her experience to continue to establish school nutrition programs around the world. Her work has taken her to Tunisia, Paraguay and Latin America.

The Silver Friend of Child Nutrition Award is given to an advocate of child nutrition that supports the feeding of children beyond the scope of normal professional duties.

For 21 years, the FAME Awards have honored school nutrition professionals who raise industry standards by stepping up to challenges within their school districts and communities. This prestigious program is sponsored by Basic American Foods, Schwan’s Food Service, Inc., and Tyson Foods, Inc. -- Article and photo from the South Whidbey Record, Jan 16 issue

-----------------------------------------------

Good Cheer Food Bank Manager Damien Cortez flashes a victory sign after filling four shopping carts of groceries worth a total of $3,199 during a five-minute shopping spree at The Goose Community Grocer in Bayview. In addition, the Food Bank received $50 worth of items from both the meat department and the fruits & vegetables department.

The spree was donated by Chris and Ed Halloran who were high bidders at an auction fundraiser held by the Greater Freeland Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to all who came out to cheer Damien on as he did his dash down the aisles!

Use Our Monthly Grocery Item Donation Calendar for the Food Bank and Save 25% Off Your Thrift Store Purchases*

People have asked, “What food items would you like me to donate to the Food Bank?” Our clients appreciate variety, so here’s a giving guide to provide a wide selection of foods.

Donate an Item on the day listed above at out Thrift Stores and take 25% off your total Thrift Store purchase. (*Excluding those items marked with an “X”.)

Clinton Foodmart Continues 5% Donation of Receipts Turned In to Good Cheer

Clinton Foodmart's very generous 5% donation on receipts turned in to Good Cheer will continue in loving memory of previous owner Mike O'Sullivan. The program has already donated more than $1,000 to the Food Bank. Thank you, Clay and Candy!

Basic Food Aid (Food Stamps) Signups Are Available at Helping Hand on the First and Third Tuesday of Each Month
A client services coordinator from the Opportunity Council is available by appointment the first and third Tuesdays of each month at Helping Hand offices in Langley at 816 Camano Ave. opposite the Island County Fairgrounds.

The coordinator will help people determine if they are eligible to receive Basic Food Aid and can also provide help with energy assistance and rental assistance if needed. The representative will be available by appointment between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Appointments should be scheduled in advance by calling Helping Hand at (360) 221-7777 weekday mornings.

A good way to do this is to make a habit of shopping Good Cheer Thrift Stores in Langley and Clinton.

Whether it's clothing, shoes or a winter jacket you are looking for, Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley and Good Cheer Clothing Rack in Clinton have a variety of sizes and styles for all members of your family at a very affordable price. And look for our Big Bag Sales the first Tuesday of every month where what clothing fits in a bag only costs $5.

Seeking housewares, toys, sporting goods and tools? Check out both Clinton and Langley Stores. Large appliances -- look the Clinton store. Televisions? Both stores. Crafts and sewing supplies? Both stores, though the Langley Store has a slightly larger selection. Bedding and large pieces of furniture? The Clinton Store. Our merchandise changes daily -- so come often and take a look at what's new. Also, look for a Val-Pak coupon in the mail for extra savings.

Bargains for the Whole Family at Good Cheer Clothing Rack At Clinton Thrift Store

The store sells gently-used clothing for the entire family, everything from sleepwear to winter coats, plus shoes and accessories for $7 or less. Proceeds help fund Good Cheer, which operates the community food bank.

Bad Tie Day Is Every Friday
Wear an outrageous, ugly or just plain "bad" tie to either Good Cheer Thrift Store on Fridays and receive 10% off your purchases.