Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank reopens after severe snowfall in North Bend

NORTH BEND, Wash. — As North Bend residents continue to dig out of the snow – families who were struggling to get by before are dealing with even more challenges.

The Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank in North Bend had been closed for a week as the city dealt with feet of snowfall – but it reopened Friday morning as snow began to melt.

“It was hard for us to make that decision. It’s our volunteers', it’s our clients' safety and it’s not good to be out,” Nancy Jones of the food bank told KIRO 7.

The food bank is a lifeline for thousands of people in need from Fall City to North Bend and serves hundreds of families who come in for everything from milk to canned good to fresh fruits and vegetables.

“It’s, 'Do you heat the house or do you feed the family?' It comes down to that sometimes,” Jones said.

One group most affected by the recent snow, are students in North Bend who rely on free and reduced meals.

But the food bank is stepping up to help when classes go into midwinter break next week by providing extra meals for every family with kids who walk through the doors.

“No one ever leaves here without food,” Jones said.

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