Guest editorial
By Beth Munns

‘Tis the season for Thanksgiving and blessings; it’s the season for giving to others.

I want to shout from the mountain top what a blessing and an asset we have in our community Help House.

On July 7, 1977, Help House began in Oak Harbor from South Whidbey’s Helping Hand and the First United Methodist Church Pantry.

You see, it was started by people for the people of this community.

It is not governed by the City nor the County nor the Federal government.

It is a private, community-based nonprofit serving North Whidbey Island.

Help House provides emergency and supplemental food, Salvation Army prescription medicine vouchers, and telephone health and welfare checkups via our tele-care program.

There are no income guidelines. They put clients first and foremost in all their actions, ensuring confidentiality and dignity.

They serve the homeless, people with disabilities, people who have had their working hours cut, elderly, singles and families. The food bank is meant to help between when the food stamps run out during the month and the next payday.

Help House has given out 5,981 food baskets from Jan. 1, 2014, to the end of October this year.

That accumulates into feeding about 15,218 people. That’s like feeding a small city.

Help House is currently spending approximately $6,100 per month to keep the doors open.

Help House takes donations of food items to restock the warehouse or cash donations to buy food products. It’s not just the holidays that people need food but 365 days a year.

Beth Munns is a member of the board of directors for Help House.