Wrecked food delivery van replaced through refinery grant

Community News

Anacortes, Foundation,

The Helping Hands Food Bank in Skagit County, Washington, was down a food delivery van when it was involved in an accident in late March. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the accident, but the van was totaled, leaving the food bank with only two vehicles to deliver food to people in need.

“This van was our mobile food van that delivers more than 400 boxes of groceries to homebound seniors, disabled people, and people with no transportation,” said Rebecca Skrinde, Executive Director of the Helping Hands Food Bank. “We also used that van to deliver 450 bags a week to children who need food for the weekend.”

The food bank said they couldn’t wait too long to replace the vehicle, so they turned to community partners like Marathon Petroleum’s Anacortes refinery for help. The refinery leaders quickly approved a $10,000 grant to complete the funding needed for a new van.

“We appreciate the tremendous impact Helping Hands makes in the community to provide food for people who need it most,” said Cameron Hunt, General Manager of the Anacortes refinery. “We wanted to help get them back on the road as soon as possible.”

The new van is already making important food deliveries around the county.