Kick-off Event November 15

UPDATE: Photos from this event have been added to this article

Since July 2007, Kirkland residents have made nearly 18,000 visits to Hopelink’s Kirkland food bank.  Hopelink, a social service agency that serves families in north and east King County, reports experiencing a 25 percent increase of visits to its Kirkland center in September 2008 compared to September 2007.  As the holiday season approaches and the economy remains uncertain, the need for food and other emergency services will increase.  Hopelink has turned to the City of Kirkland and the Kirkland community for help.  A community-wide food drive officially launches on Saturday, November 15 with a kick-off collection event sponsored by the Kirkland Youth Council at the Juanita Albertson’s, 9826 NE 132nd Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Several Kirkland neighborhood associations are challenging one another to a food drive contest and City of Kirkland employees are currently donating food items.  Collection bins will be made available at several community events through December 18.  For collection and donation information, go to www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/fooddrive  or www.hope-link.org.

Map to Food Drive kick-off collection site     

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The Youth Council, with support from the Kirkland Senior Council, will be accepting non-perishable food items at the November 15 kick-off event.  Anahita Nakhjiri, Kirkland Youth Council Community Service Coordinator and member of the City’s Human Services Advisory Board hopes to fill two emergency medical services aid cars during the drive. 

“There is such a great need in this community and Kirkland is a giving community,” notes Nakjiri.  “I hope to be busy all day loading the cars with food donations.”  This is the 2nd annual food drive hosted by the Youth Council.

The Kirkland City Council sought the help from neighborhood associations; challenging them to a food drive among themselves.  “I knew they would rise to the occasion and get right to work,” notes Mayor James Lauinger. 

The neighborhood that collects the most pounds of food per person living in that neighborhood will be rewarded with a summer party at the Peter Kirk Pool, compliments of the City. Residents are encouraged to attend November and December association meetings and bring donated items.  Meeting information is posted to the City’s website and on its government access channel, KLIFE Channel 75. 

Cash donations are gladly welcomed by Hopelink.  “A $10.60 donation can buy food to make 12 meals for one person,” notes Shona Koester, Kirkland Center Manager.  Cash donations can be made at any one of the six Hopelink centers or online at www.hope-link.org.

Hopelink Food Bank Most Needed Items: 

• Cereal
• Canned vegetables
• Pasta
• Tuna
• Flour
• Sugar
• Cooking oil
• Canned fruit
• Canned meals (chili, stew)

Cash donations gladly accepted.

Please, no commercial size food donations.

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