Darrington Food Bank Expansion
Darrington Food Bank Foundation
P.O. Box 696/1080 N Sauk Ave
Darrington WA 98241
Amount Requested: $425,100
The Darrington Food Bank Expansion project would install a 30x50x16 single level building with roll-up garage door, bathroom for volunteers, and multiple sinks to wash produce. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds. Darrington is the third smallest incorporated town in Snohomish County and is designated a rural opportunity zone—a status recognizing the need for economic investment. The Darrington Food Bank has seen a significant increase in community need over the past 4 years and is serving almost three times as many individuals now as in 2019. The current facility is no longer adequate to meet the need and due to landslides and other disasters in the area, there is a need for emergency food storage. The next closest food bank is a 60-mile round trip. Expanded and improved food bank facilities will enhance the ability to provide free, nutritious food by increasing space to store and safely assemble food for distribution and provide a location to store and distribute food during emergencies like slides, earthquakes, etc. Expanded facilities would also allow increased focus for underserved community members, like households with diabetes.
Federal Nexus: The project has a federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S. Code section 1926(a).