An anonymous donor recently pledged $10,000 to Whidbey Island Nourishes, hoping it will spur on more donations.

Whidbey Island Nourishes (WIN) is in its 10th year of serving those in need on South Whidbey.

“This matching grant will enable WIN to continue our outreach and help give every child on South Whidbey the opportunity to grow into a healthy adult, ” says current Board President Pam LeLoup. “WIN is definitely up to this challenge because of the wonderful support of our community!”

In 2007, WIN founder Mary Fisher felt compelled to act when she learned there were homeless teens living in the woods of South Whidbey. They were in need of ready-to-eat food.

Fisher and a crew of friends started making sandwiches to give to those in need. WIN initially started distributing 200 sandwiches a month, but has since grown into a larger non-profit organization. It currently provides over 400 lunches a week through its “Backpack Program.” Another 300-plus lunches are available at no cost through a vending program and through pick-ups from community partners.