This is a review of the Anacortes Salvation Army's food bank service. They have many other services…read moreas well as church functions, but the food bank is the only one I've ever had experience with. It is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3:45. You can come once a month. You can go in for bread, I believe, as often as you need. First, I would like to say that I really appreciate the people and the service provided at the food bank. They really help people who are down on their luck, so to speak, and need a helping hand to get back on their feet. The way the food bank works is first, you have to sign up. You do this by bringing in IDs and address verification (a piece of mail, for example) for everyone in the household. If you have children, bring in their birth certificates. The good thing is that once you are in their system, you stay in their system even if you do not go for a year here and there. It is all computerized. After you sign up, you come in and take a number from the table in the middle of the room and wait to be called. Once called, you sit down with the intake specialist who will ask you whether you need toilet paper, a bar of soap, dog or cat food, and anything else specific. They try to meet specific needs if they have it in the back. Once your order is taken, you go back and sit down (yes, there are lots of chairs) and wait for your name to be called by the workers in the back. They will roll your groceries out on a cart that you can use to take the food to your car. The Salvation Army is very disability friendly with chairs and carts to help people who can't stand very long or carry things very far. While you wait to have your number or your name called, you can browse the bread and produce in the front room and take as much as you need. There is usually a free table as well that has odd things on it or expired things that need to go right away. The Anacortes Salvation Army gets an A+ for helping persons in need with food and for providing a disability friendly environment. The workers are very kind and compassionate, make eye contact, and smile. I highly recommend their services to supplement your food if you find yourself in an emergency.

I went to go drop off food at the food bank but I did not realize it was Presidents' Day on the…read more21st but I just wanted to make sure that the food you know that I'm not eating could be used to get used to someone I took all the expired food out though because I didn't feel comfortable giving expired food

If you're over 50, what are you waiting for?! The Bellingham…read moreSenior Activity Center is a true gem in our community. Whether you're looking to stay active, meet new people, or just have a good time, this place has something for everyone. They offer a huge variety of fitness classes, a well-equipped gym, and active hiking and biking groups that explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest. If you're more into arts, crafts, or thoughtful conversation, there are discussion groups and craft classes too. Feeling like giving back? There are plenty of volunteer opportunities to get involved in meaningful ways. And for those 60 and over, nutritious lunches are available five days a week, just a suggested contribution. Inside, you'll also find a cozy library, lots of puzzles, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to connect and feel at home. Whether you're new to the area or have lived here for years, the Bellingham Senior Activity Center is absolutely worth checking out. It's more than a center, it's a community.

This review was based on my experience related to the exercise room and facility manager. While…read moreother experiences at this facility were good, the following describes why my overall review is completely negative. Some of their equipment is old and malfunctioning. The breaking point was that I asked the manager to let me help get a new elliptical machine with movable upper arm handles donated to the facility, but she refused. She said she'd "look into it," but never took effective action. I dropped my membership and won't go back until she's gone or they make improvements.

Shockingly nice thrift store! Not what I was expecting at all. Beautiful items, well displayed, at…read moregreat prices. And friendly, fun staff. What more could you ask for?

The ladies at the Assistance League of Bellingham rock! They are friendly and knowledgeable and…read moresupport some great causes. I was impressed with their selection and prices, will definitely go back. We need more volunteer-directed charities like this. Way to go!

Would not recommend the gym here, the people (not the service the service was amazing!) were not…read morevery nice. I tried this gym with two of my friends, we were doing leg day. I would yap with them while I was resting between sets but would try and keep it short to be able to finish using the machine. Someone comes up to me and says something along the lines of are you using this machine while i was getting up to switch with my friend. I said yes I have one more set and my friend is just starting. They tell us to stop talking so much and hurry up, we say sorry and let him use the machine to avoid any trouble. They walks away and another person goes up to them and says I glad you said something they are taking too long. On another occasion, someone was rushing us off machines by standing and watching us workout. It was very awkward and I will not be going back!

DO NOT GO rude employees lie about there schedules can't even play basketball because there's…read morelittle kids on it 24/7 from there youth league that runs for 5 months 4 hrs a day!

Incredible gem of a place! Such a gift for our low income family!!! I just wish that there would be…read moremore of these across Washington state.

It took me a long time to find the building but i was determined because i have been hearing about…read morethis place for too long and how much i was missing out. So after searching for about 45 minutes, i realized that i kept passing it back in an industrial park off Meridian, behind the old Sears and WFC. The signs are not marked well and its connected to a game store. I walked in and was greeted by a very nice man who thoroughly explained how it works. They were actuallu closed but he was working late and allowed us to shop. Dont forgetvto bring exact change if possible. They dont carry change. So my boyfriend and i puchased 3 bags each with the intention on bringing them back to get an even better discount. My boyfriend isnt a shopper but he will join me to hang out. But he wemt crazy in this place. We had so much fun. The selection of clothing was very impressive and they had everything. We spent about an hour and a half there and scored with name brand clothing. I love this place and would like to even volunteer someday. Its a must on thrift deals. My only gripe are the hours open. Its inconvenient but still worth it

The Anacortes 100 food bank is an excellent organization. I highly recommend it to folks who are…read morestruggling to meet their day to day food needs for themselves or for their families. Let's look at the basic fundamentals of how it works at Anacortes 100 food bank. First, you will show up once a week on either a Tuesday or a Friday from 10am-2pm. If you are new, next to the sign in sheet is a sign up sheet. Fill that out and give it to a volunteer behind the door. Rarely will a live person be out in the front to check you in. You will just sign in on the sign in sheet. Second, you will grab your bag of food. If you have a large family, they may give you two bags. Just ask how many you get if you are new to the program and have a large family. I have a family of 2, and I get one bag. Sometimes, they will have extra meat or dairy category additions, and a volunteer will ask you if you want it or not. This might take the form of milk, eggs, pork, or chicken. Third, after receiving your bag, check out the isle of bread and produce. Take what you can use. As far as I know, there is no official limit, but just keep in mind that there are others in line as well that need to have something to pick from. In other words, take as much as you need right now and not as much as your big empty freezer at home can take if you see what I mean. The produce is often past its prime, but it is sometimes usable. You just have to be dedicated to picking through it and be willing to cut off bad spots to eat the rest of the nutritious fruit or veggie. Sometimes there are extras also located on the two isles next to the food door, and you can usually take as much of that as you can use as well. The last example I remember is coconut water in several flavors. Fourth, there are shopping carts that you can take down to your car if you end up grabbing more than you can carry. Just be sure to return them, as there is no volunteers available to find and return missing carts. Once again, you can go once a week on either Tuesday or Friday. There is usually some special distribution for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For Thanksgiving this year, they handed out a food bag and a $25 gift certificate for meat at the local Safeway. What you are able to actually get each year for Thanksgiving or Christmas greatly depends on the funding they receive and the donations of local establishments. This may not be a thing you can count on next year, but I was blessed to have it happen to me this year. Thank you Anacortes 100!! Let's talk briefly about the line. It is usually longest in the morning when it opens as far as my experience goes. The line does not move very fast as there is really only enough room inside the small establishment for one or two clients at a time. Each client can take up to 5-10 minutes at times. This being the case, I usually come a little later than 10 so that I do not have to wait in the cold (more of a factor now in the winter). Last item I want to discuss is commodities. These are government surplus items that are given out once a month by the food bank. Usually this is an extra bag worth of food (at least it was in my experience so far, in truth, it probably varies in quantity). They give these out on the first Friday of every month. This is the only day that it might be worth trying to get there early as they do run out. I hope this post alleviates any fears of what it will be like going to the food bank and how its process works. At least, this is what I usually hated in going to new food banks was all the uncertainty of how to sign up and how it all works. I also hopes this inspires locals to contribute to this local cause through donations of food and money. It serves many individuals and families throughout Anacortes with basic necessities to get through the week with at least some food. Thank you Anacortes 100 for your good work!

O M G…read more Purses, food, cocktails, entertainment, a beauty bar, and an amazing fashion show...and it's all for an incredible cause. What is NOT to love about Handbags for Housing!? I was honored to attend this year as a VIP and I gotta say, the bonus perks were nice. We received a HUGE goodie bag with tons of cool schwag - including (bonus!) a tiny bottle of bubbly. Plus we had front row seating for the phenomenal fashion show, which featured local shops and boutiques putting together fun outfits to match a gorgeous handbag. After each walk-down-the-runway that particular handbag was auctioned off to the crowd. One of the bags (a Kate Spade beauty if I recall correctly) went for nearly $700! While the live auction was a little rich for my blood, I did enjoy the endless rows of gorgeous purses attendees had donated, which were marked anywhere from $5-50 depending on their label (and believe me, there were some VERY well-known labels to be found). There was also a silent auction featuring some of the more high-end bags, so basically there was literally something for everyone, in every budget category. (And if you really like a bag bargain, stay until the very end, wink wink.)

What a blast! Handbags for Housing was such a fun event; high energy, lots of beautiful, upcycled,…read moreunique, and great priced purses, great food and wine/cocktails, entertainment of the "Booty and the Beat" ladies, fashion show, auction, and so much more! What a great idea and event to help raise awareness and proceeds for Lydia Place and helping our community! A lady can never have too many purses - and it's for a great cause....Genius event! :)