The Bainbridge Island City Council approved an emergency funding request brought forward by Councilmember Joe Deets at its Oct. 28 meeting, which authorizes the city to spend $30,000 to support Helpline House’s food bank.

“I think that this is a good investment, because we can’t have islanders go hungry,” Deets said.

The money comes from the council’s contingency fund.

“The food bank is more than a place that distributes food, it’s a center in our community where people in need experience compassion, connection with others and a sense of neighbors helping neighbors,” Joan Spencer, a Helpline House volunteer, said.

Helpline House executive director Maria Metzler shared her support for the initiative as part of public comment. She said Helpline House supported over 18,500 visits last year, and distributed nearly a million pounds of food. They also provide services free of charge, including: nutritious food, help with housing and utilities, transportation, and supporting mental health resources.

“Those are not just statistics. They represent real people, our neighbors who are working hard, raising families, caring for aging parents and just trying to make it through,” she said.

Metzler also said Helpline House serves residents who are not eligible for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), benefits and may not be able to afford basic necessities.

“Imagine being among those who do qualify only to have your benefits suspended because of circumstances entirely out of your control, and even when SNAP benefits are eventually reinstated, they will return in a reduced form, with decreased funding and stricter work and age requirements,” she said.

BI Mayor Ashley Mathews voiced her appreciation for the approval of emergency funding.

“As a young mother, I was on SNAP and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), and at this point of the month, on the 28th, your benefits are already gone. Realistically, lots of folks are very scared, and I hope our community continues to rise to the occasion,” she said.

Council also voted to authorize the city manager to reject a $295,000 Federal Transportation grant for a future Eagle Harbor Drive boardwalk and Bucklin Hill Road protected bike lane project. The city intends to evaluate alternative future funding options, per city documents.

“We estimate that the actual cost of the design is probably more than double what the current grant funds would cover. So something more like $800,000, which is fairly expensive for a project that does not currently have construction dollars appropriated, and doesn’t have construction funds in the capital improvement plan,” public works director Chris Wierzbicki said.

Wierzbicki said the protected bike lane portion of the project is still included in the capital improvement plan and currently slated for design and construction in 2029 and 2030, respectively.