For 44 years, a small building at 24131 NE State Route 3 has been one of the most important addresses in our town. That’s home to the North Mason Food Bank — and if you haven’t needed it yourself, chances are someone you know has.
Founded in 1982, the North Mason Food Bank has been quietly doing the work that neighbors do for neighbors: making sure no one in Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview, or Tahuya goes without food. Their mission statement says it plainly — “with dignity and respect, builds community, shares abundance, and nourishes lives” — and the way they operate reflects that. The food bank runs a client-choice shopping model, which means families walk in and select the items they’ll actually use, rather than receiving a pre-packed box. It’s a small but meaningful distinction that treats every visitor as a capable adult making real choices for their household.
If you’ve never stopped in, here’s what to know. The food bank is open three days a week: Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Wednesdays from 1 to 4:45 p.m., and Thursdays from 2 to 5:45 p.m. The building sits right along SR-3 in Belfair, easy to find and easy to access. To speak with someone directly, call (360) 275-4615 or email director@nmfoodbank.org.
The food bank provides more than groceries. Basic hygiene items and referral services are part of what they offer — a recognition that food insecurity rarely arrives alone. For families navigating a tough stretch, that referral piece can be the thread that connects them to housing help, utility assistance, or other support in Mason County.
Volunteers are the backbone of the operation. The food bank actively welcomes new volunteers, and a few hours a week during one of the three open shifts can make a real difference in how smoothly the pantry runs. If you’d like to help, visit northmasonfoodbank.org/volunteer or call (360) 275-4615. There’s no complex application — they genuinely need hands.
The North Mason Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which means donations are tax-deductible. They accept food donations and financial contributions; the website at northmasonfoodbank.org has current information on what’s most needed. The food bank also works with AmpleHarvest.org, connecting local gardeners who have excess produce with the pantry — so if your garden is already outpacing your kitchen, that’s another way to contribute.
Four decades in, the North Mason Food Bank isn’t a temporary fix or an emergency response. It’s part of the permanent fabric of this community — there when people need it, run by neighbors who chose to show up. If you haven’t connected with them yet, now is a good time to do it, whether you’re coming for services, dropping off a donation bag, or signing up for a volunteer shift.
North Mason Food Bank
24131 NE State Route 3, Belfair, WA 98528
Hours: Tuesday 10 a.m.–1:45 p.m. · Wednesday 1–4:45 p.m. · Thursday 2–5:45 p.m.
Phone: (360) 275-4615
Web: northmasonfoodbank.org
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