South Kitsap Helpline is seeing record demand as the federal government shutdown continues, forcing the food bank to expand hours, shift operations and prepare for an upcoming move to a new building.

Executive director Jennifer Hardison said the organization reached its highest client service day ever recently.

The food bank, which now opens at 11 a.m., recently extended its hours and began allowing households to shop weekly instead of monthly. On one recent day, Hardison said staff served 144 households in six hours.

Hardison said the nonprofit is fielding hundreds of phone calls and emails from residents worried about feeding their families due to the uncertainty of SNAP benefits and federal workers missing paychecks.

“People are panicking. They’ve never done this before,” she said.

While South Kitsap Helpline is struggling to keep shelves stocked, Hardison said the community response has been positively overwhelming.

“We have an absolutely lovely community that has just stepped forward and saw a need and helped to fill it,” she said. “All we ever have to do is post something and say we’re running low on something, and people show up at our door carrying bags of it.”

In recent weeks, local groups have launched additional donation efforts to support the food bank during the shutdown. Port Orchard Rotarians Matt Shillingburg and president Rob Sowell presented a $1,500 donation to Hardison, and the Port Orchard Police Department held a “Stuff the Patrol Car” event at Safeway on Bethel Road. Officers filled multiple patrol vehicles — and South Kitsap Fire & Rescue filled an ambulance — resulting in several deliveries to the food bank.

Josephine’s Mercantile is also hosting a donation drive at Gathered by Josephine’s on Bay Street from Nov. 6–22, offering one entry into a $100 gift card drawing for every donated nonperishable food item, household goods or hygiene product. Groove Studios Parent Association delivered 259 pounds of donations to South Kitsap Helpline and continues collecting through Nov. 22.

Hardison also said sustaining food supply is the largest concern if the shutdown continues long term, but she noted state support will help.

“I’m really pleased to see that our governor has allotted funding for food banks specifically, and we are already going to be seeing that,” she said. “Just making sure we can keep everything on the shelves … so when people leave, they have enough to tide them over until the following week.”

Hardison said families shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help.

“We are here. This is exactly why programs like ours exist,” she said. “They’re not alone. There’s so many people struggling.”

She said the food bank’s goal is to ensure clients feel supported and respected.

“When this is over, we want people to remember they were treated kindly,” Hardison said.

New building could double capacity

Despite the shutdown, the food bank is also preparing to relocate to a new building in the next few weeks. The new site will include designated donor parking, a donor drop-off window, and a children’s book nook for families who visit the new food bank market.

Hardison said the building will allow South Kitsap Helpline to serve significantly more people.

“We’re anticipating doubling our services, at least,” she said. “It kind of reminds me of a Trader Joe’s or something right now, the way that it’s set up. A really great place for people to come.”

The organization is waiting for final county occupancy approval and hopes to open before Thanksgiving.