Students and families are welcome at local food banks, and separate facilities exist to cater to each.

One nearby option is the Volunteers of America food bank located just a few blocks from the college at 13th and Broadway Ave.
Karla Snapp, VOA's basic needs coordinator has seen an increase in demand, which she attributes to increases in unemployment and delays in unemployment extensions.

But, while students may be using the food banks, not many will discuss it openly. One exception is EvCC student Tina Bryan.

"My sisters and I go there. I think there should be more services like them. You know, I was really worried about being embarrassed and afraid to go in at first, but you realize everyone is there for the same reason," says Bryan.

"We don't look down on people who use the food bank; that's why we're here! We treat everyone with dignity and respect," replies Kathleen Dale, VOA's outreach coordinator.
However, if someone is embarrassed or nervous about using the food bank, staffers place loaves of bread next to the door each day that someone could walk in a grab without talking to anyone.

One of the requirements for using the VOA food bank in Everett is that the person must reside within the city limits. ID and proof of address must be presented as well. The food bank staff ask how many people are in your family; depending on the size of the family the person receives a card with a plus or minus symbol; the plus symbol is for families with more than three people and the minus symbol is for families with less than three members. One of the differences is that a person with a card with a minus symbol receives a chicken; with a plus symbol they receive a turkey.

The food bank also helps with other emergency services: students and others in the community are able to get all sorts of help from a program called 211.

"If your house is burning down, call 911. With anything else, call 211," says Dale
By calling 211 anyone can get assistance with rent, counseling, food and clothing, transportation, emergency shelter and more. So instead of someone seeking services by calling 20 agencies around this area or just VOA in regards to getting on a list to receive help, they can call 211 and be put on one list that is connected to all of the places that donate.

Not all students are comfortable with the idea of public assistance.

Using a food bank "would be a last resort type of thing. Because I'm not in a life or death type of situation, there is no need for me to go to a food reserve that someone less fortunate than me should use. Like a mother and child, they should get it before me," says student Lori Mayo.

That's why if a student is single without dependents, they are referred to the Salvation Army food bank, located on Rucker Ave., which is tailored more to single people. The VOA food bank is tailored more to families in need.

A person can receive help from the food bank once a month. "We never deny anyone food," Karla Snap, VOA food bank basic needs coordinator, says. For this reason, in special cases, someone may receive emergency food even after getting their month's amount.

To contact the Volunteers of America food bank, call (425) 259-3191. To contact The Salvation Army food bank, call (425) 259-8129. For more information about food banks in the area go to www.clipperonline.info.