Island Transit launched a new service to assist Island County social service agencies and food banks with the delivery of essential items during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Island Transit Cares made its maiden trip a week ago by picking up 50 boxes of food from North Whidbey Help House in Oak Harbor and delivering them to several Island County locations.

“As a public transit agency, offering free delivery service for essential items is just another way to fulfill our mission,” said Island Transit Executive Director Todd Morrow.

Island Transit Cares will deliver groceries, medicine, meals, and other essential items.

“We will deliver whenever and to whomever the social service agency or food bank needs us to go,” Morrow said. “Deliveries will be done safely, with social distancing and no-contact practices.”

Morrow said driving for Island Transit Cares is voluntary.

Oak Harbor City Council-woman Beth Munns, who serves on the board of directors for Island Transit and the North Whidbey Help House, helped connect Island Transit Cares with a need in the community.

“We’re just delighted these agencies could come together, get creative and make something special happen to fill a need for our community,” said Munns, adding that while she expects initial deliveries will happen on Whidbey Island, the transit agency plans to extend services to Camano Island.

The service is limited to Island County boundaries.

Funds to run these Island Transit services are a federally reimbursable expense so local tax dollars are not being used.

Morrow said he expects Island Transit Cares Essential Delivery Service to run for several months.

“It’s hard to say what the future holds, but as long as we have available drivers and there is a need, we’ll keep it going,” he said.

Social service agencies and food banks that need delivery service for essential items during the COVID-19 pandemic, should contact Shawn Harris, Island Transit Operations Manager, at harris@islandtransit.org or 360-678-7771.