The Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank (SVFB) has introduced a program to provide shelf-stable food to those who cannot make it into the food bank during open hours.

Starting Nov. 13, there will be eight locations around the Snoqualmie Valley that have bags of shelf-stable food available. Those who need assistance and cannot make it to the food bank can pick up a bag — no questions asked and no registration required.

Locations include Eastside Fire and Rescue Station 87, Encompass Child Development Center, Encompass Early Learning Center, Encompass Carnation Preschool, North Bend City Hall, North Bend Library, Snoqualmie Fire Department and Snoqualmie Valley YMCA.

“We don’t ask for names. Sometimes asking for help is hard enough,” said Rebecca Lane, SVFB’s interim executive director. “The go bags remove barriers so anyone can get food, no questions, no judgment, just help when it’s needed most.”

Based in North Bend, the food bank is currently working to move into a larger home at 43530 SE North Bend Way. Though it has not yet opened, the new facility was put to good use when volunteers were making the bags, according to Ellen Pronin, SVFB communications manager.

“These bags help get good food to neighbors who can’t always make it here and being able to pack so many bags in our new space shows just how much more we can do together,” Lane said.

These “go bags” come at a time when funding for the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has been uncertain. Earlier this month, SVFB published a letter about how the community can “snap into action” to help with extra food sources for those in need.

Visit snoqualmievalleyfoodbank.org for more information.