Three years ago, Connie Airey and her family started feeding those in need and now, they could use some help.

Connie, her husband Bobby, plus some close friends — Ginny and Mike Agnew, run Food is Free Westport, which is a food gifting site and not a food bank — from their home at 121 E. Spokane Ave., in Westport.

“Unlike ‘food banks’ we are just people with a passion for our community,” she said. “We never ask for personal information. Everyone is welcome to the gifts we offer.”

All of the donations the Airey family accepts come from the community and they go to the community, she said.

“We do travel to Tacoma and get food from a food rescue and distribution center that’s gifted to Westport,” Airey said.

The Aireys accept just about any food items.

She said the only limits are nothing home-canned, made, or opened unless individual packages — like a still-sealed sleeve of Saltines crackers, or sealed snack packs — and it must be at least 90 days out from expiration.

As of right now, they have no space for frozen items.

Airey started the project three years ago with the use of a “very old” card table, plus extra produce and canned goods. But, it has evolved beyond that with the help of some good friends and a tireless motor. Connie has had days where she’s up from early morning to late at night. But she does it because she wants to help in whatever way she can.

She has also made and offered dinners to her community.

“It’s a good way to reach out to others as well,” Airey said.

She said “Food is Free Westport,” uses her garage and that her garage is pretty full.

“We look like we’re hoarders, but we’re not,” she said Thursday, Dec. 16, while inching her way through the garage to show off what she has for those who could use an extra few meals.

Connie said she is hoping for an 8 foot by 12 foot shed.

Such a shed, with lights, locks, a loading and unloading ramp, paint and any other related parts would cost at least $4,500.

The Airey family has set up a GoFundMe page for the storage shed they’d like to have in order to keep the project up to its task. The goal they set is $4,500. As of Thursday evening, the page has raised $310.

Airey said she does her best to make sure nothing goes to waste.

“Some produce may go to (nearby) food banks, animal rescue for feed, or (it gets) composted,” she said. “Cardboard goes to the Ocosta High School for recycling.”

Her friend Sue Smith, from Westport, came by the Airey home on Dec. 16 and didn’t leave without a small bag of food.

“You can’t ever leave here empty-handed,” Smith said with a smile.

Airey said her husband and their dear friend Ginny, help with the project, no matter the weather. The site runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. But if there’s food on the gifting tables, it’s sunrise until about 7 p.m. They also put out a sign when there is food available.

“Rain or shine we get what we can,” she said. “It makes for a long day.”

The Aireys have hosted food giveaways in the past. They set it up on tables in their driveway and those who are interested can get what they want.

The Aireys just ask that people act in a selfless way.

“Our motto is: Take what you need,” she said. “Think of others and donate back when you can.”

In order to donate to the Food is Free Westport’s fund for its shed, go to www.gofundme.com, and then search Connie Airey.