The current Co-Executive Directors for Good Cheer, Karen Korbelik and Sarah Benner-Kenagy, say that the organization started when some people on South Whidbey saw a need to provide holiday meals and children’s gifts for residents who were struggling with living expenses.
Good Cheer is still operating a thrift store out of its original building (which is undergoing restoration right now) in downtown Langley. The concept is that people can find needed household and clothing items in one of two local thrift stores, Langley and Clinton, and the proceeds from these purchases a key source of revenue for the organization as a whole.
The food at the food bank comes from donations and from the organic produce that is grown on a 1-1/4 acre plot on Bayview Road. The building there is used to assemble the foods and to distribute items to people who come by. Last year 18,000 pounds of organic produce was grown at the site for distribution to those in need
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Although there are some paid full-time and part-time employees at Good Cheer, much of the work is done by volunteers at Good Cheer stores and the food bank. There are currently over 200 volunteers who help with all of the necessary jobs including organizing items that are sold in the thrift stores and taking care of the donated foods and distributing it; Volunteers are currently contributing nearly 15,000 hours to make Good Cheer work.
Karen and Sarah note that Good Cheer’s positive impact is possible because of the help and involvement from volunteers and donations from the Whidbey community.
There is also an attitude of providing a welcoming atmosphere for those who shop at the retail stores and those who receiving food donations.
Visitors to the food bank are asked only for their name and household size. All information is voluntary. There is an understanding that the cost of living on Whidbey is continuing to increase, and buying basic food and necessities may be challenging for some.
The Goose Grocer, located in the Bayview Shopping Center, provides several ways that shoppers can also donate to Good Cheer. They can purchase a gallon of milk for donation, or use their Goose reward points or points from round-up at check out.
Good Cheer is always looking for volunteers who want to be part of this community organization, and always appreciates monetary or food donations.
The Good Cheer food bank is located at 2812 Grimm Rd, Langley. The food bank is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you have questions, you can email them at foodbank@goodcheer.org or give them a call: 360-221-4868.
