Port Townsend Food Bank has a Special Place in its Heart for the Homeless

Picture of Roger and other members of the Elks team giving tents etc to Pamela & Margaret

That heart is a 12’ by 12’ space in the Food Bank building on Blaine Street that contains a myriad of supplies to help make unhoused life a little more comfortable. “We supply camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, tarps, stoves and propane”, says Pamela Browning who has led the effort over the past 10 years. Personal care items such as soap, shampoo, razors, deodorant, toilet paper and even q-tips are available. Eating and cooking items are also provided including plates and cutlery, pots and utensils, water containers, dish soap and towels. “Of course we also provide food since we are a Food Bank after all!” says Margaret Pepe, the current unhoused area steward. “We try to provide folks with high protein shelf stable food that is convenient to carry and simple to prepare. Nuts, dried fruit, beef jerky, pouches of chicken and tuna are some examples. Canned meals like chili, stew and baked beans are always appreciated.”

A grant from the Elks National Foundation provides much of the funding for the non-food supplies offered to the homeless. The Elks National Foundation is a 501(C)(3) entity. Elks Lodges across the country (including Port Townsend Elks Lodge No. 317) can apply for five different grants from the Elks National Foundation on an annual basis. The largest grant available is the Impact Grant (which is a competitive grant) with a maximum award of $10,000. The Impact Grant needs to involve a “project” which has an impact in the local community. The Port Townsend Lodge’s project is “Survival Supplies for the Homeless” which provides the supplies noted above to the Port Townsend Food Bank. The Port Townsend Elks Lodge was fortunate to receive the maximum $10,000 Impact Grant Award for 2024. Elks member, Roger Dunaway, leads this effort. Other members of the Elks Lodge that are involved in this effort are: Rita Frangione, Peggy Carmouche, Mark Makarowski and Dale Wilson.

“We couldn’t provide the support that we do without the Elks, especially given the high numbers of unhoused people that come to us weekly needing supplies” says Pamela Browning. On average the Food Bank serves approximately 55 unhoused individuals from 45 families weekly. The numbers have risen sharply over the past year.

The Food Bank itself has to purchase much of the homeless specific food that is offered. That is, because food rescue from grocery stores consists mostly of perishable food which campers can’t use.  On the other hand, other sources of food for the Food Bank, such as USDA and Food Lifeline, offer foods that generally require kitchen cooking facilities or that are too bulky to fit in a camper’s backpack. “Items such as rice, pasta, frozen meats, dairy products and produce are of little use to the average camper” says Pamela .  “We are extremely grateful that donors to the Food Bank make it possible to purchase food for the campers.”

Donations of food and supplies for campers are most welcome. Not only do those donations stretch the Elks grant and Food Bank dollars, they deepen the strength and connection of our community to our unhoused neighbors. “Individuals in the community giving stuff to other individuals in the community is a testament to the loving kindness that binds us together” says Margaret Pepe. “My privilege as a volunteer is to be the conduit for that loving kindness”. 

Donations are accepted at the Food Bank on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.