For more than a decade, the Rotary Club of Oak Harbor has quietly made a powerful difference in the lives of thousands of local students, one bag at a time.
Since 2014, Rotary members and volunteers have been packing and delivering weekend food bags to students in need across Oak Harbor Public Schools. What began as a small effort to support just 50 students has grown into a vital program now serving 226 students each week.
"While we receive food stamps from the state, they do not last the entire month. Without this program, our children would not have access to necessary food on the weekends. We are truly grateful for this support and for the volunteers who dedicate their time to donating and delivering these bags," said the guardian of a family of six.
These bags provide more than just food. They offer consistency, care, and peace of mind for students who may otherwise face food insecurity over the weekend or over a school break. Each week, Rotary volunteers come together to pack hundreds of bags that are then delivered to schools for distribution to students in need.
Currently, Oak Harbor Public Schools is serving nearly 300 students with housing insecurity, a number that grows year by year. This reflects both the growing need and Rotary’s unwavering commitment to meeting it.
"We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which sends a powerful message to our families that they are seen and supported by a community that truly cares about their success," said Olympic View Elementary Principal Sara Lucero.
This work would not be possible without the generosity of the Rotary Club and the broader Oak Harbor community. To sustain and expand the program, Rotary is hosting its annual auction this Saturday, with proceeds directly supporting the weekend food bag initiative.
Oak Harbor Public Schools is deeply grateful for this longstanding #OneOakHarbor partnership and the compassion Rotary continues to show our students and families.
