The Bonney Lake Food Bank is always looking for donations, even after the holidays.

Executive Director Stew Bowen said the food bank is always in need of “stuff, finances, help and prayer.”

Most donations except those from stores, Bowen said, stop until after April. He added, that local stores however only donate fresh items and very little canned or dry foods.

The food bank is looking for dry rice, beans, pasta, canned and boxed everything, Bowen said.

Bowen has lived in Bonney Lake for most of his life and started at the Bonney Lake Food Bank in 2007.

He said that the food bank not only provides food to residents.

“We provide hope,” Bowen said. “The hope we are not alone, the hope that we are a part of something greater and grander than ourself or our circumstance, in a community of caring compassionate people.”

He believes the food bank empowers people.

Bowen said he is thankful for the support from the community. He said it is difficult to do his job at times but people will stop him in the community and thank him for what he does.

“That is an encouragement to go back and give my all, to continue serving others,” he said.

The Bonney Lake Food Bank is located on Veterans Memorial Drive and are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

When the food bank is closed, there is an area outside where people can come and pick up food that the bank left outside in bins, coolers and on tables.

This is available for those who cannot make it during business hours and for those who may be a little embarrassed to come in and use the services the bank provides.