ARLINGTON, Wash. — Bare just a few days ago, the milk cooler at the Arlington Food Bank is full once again, as is the meat freezer.
To executive director Carla Rankin, it's a godsend.
"It's amazing," Rankin said. "Just amazing."
Last Friday, a burglar used a sledgehammer to break into the food bank's outdoor refrigeration unit, stealing about $2,500 in pricey meat and dairy items including holiday hams and enough milk and eggs for 600 households.
But folks across Snohomish County are determined not to let anyone go hungry.
Rankin said countless families were about to go without over the holidays, but fellow food banks stepped in and donated whatever they could to keep the food flowing.
"Refrigeration, food supplies, and more than anything, moral support," Rankin said.
Among those donating, is the Marysville Food Bank, where executive director Jim Beaudoin has piled 600 pounds of wooden pallets in front of his outdoor storage container to keep criminals out.
Beaudoin said food banks are popular targets during the holidays.
Marysville and Arlington are part of a coalition of 18 Snohomish County food banks that pool funds for better buying power and situations like this.
"I know that Lake Stevens was offering, Granite Falls was offering," Beaudoin said. "We're all just just one big happy family to help those who need help."
All this comes as Snohomish County is announcing $3 million in additional support for local food banks.
Since the pandemic, Snohomish County has supported the distribution of nearly 26.5 million pounds of food.
“Access to healthy and affordable food is the cornerstone of a thriving, vibrant community,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County executive. “I’m grateful to our partners at the Food Bank Coalition for the innovative ways they have used the County’s investment as well as the work they do every day to make sure vulnerable communities can get their basic needs met. I encourage residents and businesses across the county to support their local food bank this holiday season and year-round.”
The $3 million is from federal COVID funds. County officials said the money has now run out.
"There are not additional federal funds that we see coming now," said Kara Main-Hester, Snohomish County's chief recovery and resilience officer. "So, we really need the community to help in any way they can."
For now, the people of Arlington are simply grateful for their entire community.
"Just knowing the other food banks reached out and asked us what we need, what can we do was reassuring," Rankin said. "It let's us know that we'll get through this. We'll get through it together."
A suspect in the break-in was arrested quickly by Arlington police. He's currently held at the Snohomish County Jail.