In today's economic recession, more people are turning to Good Cheer Food Bank to put food on the table. Please help us help others by making a donation today using the link below. Thank you!

Use this link to donate with credit card or by a PayPal account.

Good Cheer is committed to creating a hunger-free community on South Whidbey Island.
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 15,000 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 14 staff members and now nearly 400 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 increased dramatically in 2008, as 4,044 individuals -- about 1,200 more people than in 2007 -- turned to the Food Bank to help put food on the table.

These numbers include 1,411 children, about 36% of our clients, which is in keeping with most other food banks in WA State.

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, is already providing fresh-picked organic produce.

Good Cheer News:

Bring Food donations to July 3^rd Celebrate America event; Drive-Up Food Donation at Chase Bank in Freeland from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Good Cheer Food Bank is asking people coming to this year’s July 3^rd Celebrate America event to bring a can or box of food to donate to neighbors in need.

“If everyone brings at least one non-perishable food item, it will make a tremendous difference,” said Good Cheer Executive Director Kathy McLaughlin. “We’re distributing more than 47,000 pounds of food each month at the Food Bank. Already this year we’ve distributed more than a quarter of a million pounds of food to the 1,167 families who have turned to the Food Bank for help this year.

At last year’s July 3 Celebrate America event, we received 5,776 pounds of food, which is about 12% of what we distributed to local families this past May. We are hoping to receive 20% more in donations this year,” she said. For added convenience, there will be a drive-up food drop-off at Chase Bank (formerly WAMU) in Freeland between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Food donation barrels will also be located at the event’s bus shuttle stops and at the event’s information booth. Good Cheer’s truck will be at the entrance to Freeland Park from 4 p.m. to the event’s closing to accept donations as well. Monetary donations are also appreciated.

A suggested list of food items not routinely stocked at the Food Bank, include salad dressings (for all the lettuce being harvested from our garden), canned meat items, chili, tuna, pasta sauces, condiments, crackers, and seasonings, and special dietary foods (low-salt / diabetic / gluten-free items).

“If in doubt or a hurry, just bring something that you or your family enjoys eating,” McLaughlin said.

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Check Out Good Cheer's Onsite Garden in Bayview

Everywhere you look in the garden these days, something is happening! We're harvesting fresh produce daily, building more beds, planting more plants, beds weeded, beds sifted, manure delivered and turned into the soil, compost cooking, and hoophouse hopping with tomatoes.

SEE MORE at Good Cheer Garden Coordinator Cary Peterson's weekly updated blog: http://goodcheergarden.wordpress.com

Wednesday is Good Cheer garden day!
Every Wednesday we’ll be in the garden from 9 am - 4 pm. Picnic at noon. Come for as short or as long as you’d like. Come and get your hands dirty!

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Save the Date: September 12
Save the date for Good Cheer’s first annual Music Fest & Harvest Party on Saturday, September 12.

The event will celebrate the harvest of the Food Bank’s new on-site garden, while providing a venue for local performers.

The event will feature a stage with scheduled bands and solo peformers throughout the day, with a dance in the evening. Food Bank tours, garden tours and garden demonstrations will be held, as well as a jam judging contest.

Call for Musician Applications: Due August 26
Would you like to play a set at the Music Fest & Harvest Party on Sept.12?

Applications are available at Joe's Music in Langley and all Good Cheer Thrift Stores as well as in PDF form by clicking the link below. Musical performance in a variety of areas is invited such as :Bluegrass/Old Time, Celtic, Traditional Folk Music, Jazz, World/Global, Vocal/Gospel, Storytelling/Poetry, other.

Click this link for a PDF of the musician application form.

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Clinton Foodmart Drawing Benefits Good Cheer; Plus 5% of Turned In Receipt Donations Continue
Thank you Clinton Foodmart owners, Clay and Candy Anderson, for donating the more than $1,200 proceeds from raffle sales for a widescreen TV to Good Cheer's capital campaign.

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!

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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”.)

Click here for a printable PDF of the calendar.

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Ahoy for an Unexpected Donation

When the vessel "Enterprise" had refrigerator problems, they pulled into Langley and offloaded 900 pounds of food to Good Cheer Food Bank rather than allowing it to spoil. Thank you to the crew and captain!

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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 now 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.

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Tight Budget? Visit Good Cheer Thrift Stores!

Don't panic in these uncertain economic times... just shop smarter!

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.

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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.

Good Cheer’s Clothing Rack is open every day from noon to 5 p.m.

Become a Good Cheer Reserve Corps Volunteer
Become a member of Good Cheer's new reserve volunteer corps -- people who will only be called upon during times of urgent need.

What's an urgent need? It could be when there is a major food drive and volunteers are needed to restock food shelves. It could be when there are higher than normal item donations and all hands are needed to process the items swiftly. It could mean help during an upcoming relocation of the food bank to its new home at Bayview. If you would like to make the difference at Good Cheer, either stop in at the Langley Thrift Store or at the new Bayview location and fill out an application, or click here for a downloadable form which you can mail in or email back to Good Cheer at kathy@goodcheer.org.

Downloadable Volunteer Registration PDF form.

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.

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