After more than two decades of serving Central Whidbey from borrowed and makeshift spaces, Gifts from the Heart Food Bank now has a permanent home of its own. And with that milestone, the beloved Coupeville nonprofit is taking big steps to modernize its operations and prepare for the future—without losing sight of its grassroots foundation.
Founded on Valentine’s Day in 2002, Gifts from the Heart has spent 23 years nourishing the community with respect, consistency, and creativity. Entirely volunteer-run, the organization distributes food on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, while maintaining a steady presence throughout the community thanks to partnerships with churches, grocery stores, and local farms.
With the opening of its new building in spring 2025, the food bank is gaining something it has never had: reliable internet, secure on-site storage, and a place to host its own technology. To support this transition, Whidbey Community Foundation awarded a Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant to help the organization purchase new laptops, a printer, and cloud-based software—essential tools that will replace 20 years of manual recordkeeping. Now, with a secure facility and dedicated systems, Gifts from the Heart can modernize its operations, simplify reporting, and better serve the 80+ families who visit on each distribution day.
The new location is strategically situated near Coupeville schools and a bus stop, making it easier for families, students, and those without transportation to access food. Behind the scenes, the food bank continues to be powered by a web of local generosity. Food comes in from Safeway, Prairie Center Market, and regional networks like NW Harvest and Food Lifeline, while fresh produce from several plots at the Coupeville Community Garden, tended by the Master Gardeners, are grown exclusively for the food bank
Nothing goes to waste. Perishable items not distributed directly are shared with local partners like Island Senior Resources, Ryan’s House for Youth, and SPiN Café, ensuring that all food finds a home.
The team is always on the lookout for hearty soups and canned meals, staples that are especially helpful for seniors and unhoused clients. Roughly 10% of those served are unhoused, and over 60% are either children or seniors—a reminder of how wide the need stretches, and how critical the food bank’s work is.
Community support remains strong. In the past, Gifts from the Heart has hosted check stand fundraisers at Prairie Center Market, and this year, Heritage Bank—a corporate sponsor of WCF—is dedicating an annual volunteer day to support the food bank, with the Coupeville branch closing for a day to send staff to help on September 10th.
With a new building, upgraded systems, and the same heart-driven mission, Gifts from the Heart is entering a new chapter—one rooted in stability, compassion, and the belief that no one in Coupeville should go hungry.
To learn more or support their work, visit giftsfromtheheartfoodbank.com.
Support Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grants
WCF’s Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grant Program strengthens the internal operations of Whidbey Island nonprofits, ensuring they have the tools to grow and sustain their impact. By funding staff and board development, technology upgrades, financial planning, and strategic assessments, WCF helps organizations build long-term resilience. Investing in organizational infrastructure rather than direct program costs allows nonprofits to operate more effectively and expand their impact in the community.
WCF is able to provide grants like these with broad support from our community. If you are interested in supporting the Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grant Program, we invite you to make a contribution to WCF’s Foundation Fund, which holistically supports our grant programs, nonprofit trainings/workshops, and WCF operations. Our Board of Directors allocates funding each year to ensure nonprofits have access to critical resources. WCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to Whidbey Island; all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Learn about different ways to make a charitable contribution here.