OUR STORY

Unfortunately, poverty and hunger are real for some Whatcom County children. There may be as many as 14 to 15 percent of children in our communities currently experiencing food anxiety or insecurity. Our elementary schools are doing an incredible job providing free or reduced fee lunches for over 40 percent of children in attendance when schools are in session. On weekends and holidays, it is very likely these children do not have access to enough food and are experiencing hunger.
 
The food bank ministries do a lot to fill this gap as one in five families regularly ask them for help. It has been estimated that up to 35 percent of food bank assistance provides needed food for children.
 
As a community, we are faced with many challenges in trying to meet the needs of our children currently in poverty. The biggest being distribution, getting food to children in need.
 
Open Hands is an outreach program with the mission to eliminate hunger among elementary school children in Whatcom County. We began in 2017 serving 30 students weekend meals to bridge the gap of hunger these children were experiencing. Local businesses and community members responded with overwhelming support. Open Hands currently feeds approximately 800 pre-school to 5th grade students at 11 schools in the Nooksack, Ferndale, and Meridian School District.
 
Open Hands is an all-volunteer organization headquartered at 8887 Benson Road Lynden, WA 98264.