It’s that time of year again, when local families and businesses are reminded to do what they can to help the Carole Rowe Food Bank (Edmonds Food Bank) provide food to a growing number of people needing help in the local community.

And it’s not like people have not been stepping up – they have. But there’s always a need for more.

“People have been extremely generous,” food bank director Peggy Kennedy said. “We’re very grateful for everything everyone has donated.”

But the number of people seeking assistance go up, especially at this time of year. Thanksgiving is usually the busiest week of the year at the food bank, but volunteers expect to have their biggest week later this month for Christmas.

Thanksgiving week, they provided food for 440 families.

Just last week they provided food for 350-380 families. That totals out to about 1,281 individuals.

But don’t think of it as 1,281 meals. They’re providing food for those 1,281 individuals for a week. Food Bank representatives figure they provided enough food for 14,886 meals.

The need won’t end after the holiday season, but donations often drop off then.

“We’re usually pretty good until tax time,” Kennedy said,  “then the donations almost stop.”

But our friends and neighbors will still be in need. And the Edmonds Food Bank volunteers will still be doing everything they can to help.