September is Hunger Action Month, when Feeding America and member food banks, including North Kitsap Fishline, ask everyone in America to take action to fight hunger in their community all month long. This time of year — right before the holidays, is when food banks experience their lowest inventory.
During Hunger Action Month, we are focusing on two important programs: Healthy Table and Food for Thought.
Healthy Table aims to provide items such as dairy and fresh fruits and vegetables to our clients through our market. These items are provided through grocery rescue, which can sometimes be scarce, depending on their inventory. Fishline struggles to keep perishable items on our shelves. These items include:
- Fresh milk
- Yogurt
- Fruit and vegetables
- Eggs
These items are critical to encouraging a balanced a diet and a Healthy Table for our clients.
Our receiving hours for donations of these perishable items are: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8:30am to 2pm and Wed from 8:30am to 6pm. Please note: these are donation receiving hours only, food bank operation hours are different. Please do not leave donations at the door after hours. Arrangements can be made to deliver donations of perishable items after hours by emailing [email protected].
As school begins, we start to focus on one of our most expensive programs: Food for Thought. Purchased items are packed in anonymous meal packs that are delivered to the school counselors every Friday afternoon. They are in turn discretely distributed to the children at school before they leave for the weekend. Children are eligible if they exhibit signs of chronic hunger or are part of the free meal program in their school.
When donating items for our Food for Thought program, you can use this handy shopping list:
- Granola bars
- Fruit snacks
- Pop tarts
- Individual oatmeal packets
- Peanut butter crackers
- Apple sauce cups
- Fruit cups
- Pudding cups
- Individual cereal boxes
- Cup of noodles
- Chicken soup or chili
- Individual packages of raisins or craisins
- Other healthy snack items
Hunger Action Month is your opportunity to join Fishline and make a real and lasting impact on our effort to support our neighbors in need. Whether it’s by advocating and raising awareness, making donations, or volunteering, you can find the way that’s right for you to make a difference during Hunger Action Month.
Visit our website, our Facebook page and our calendar to see what you can do in September to participate in Hunger Action Month! We’re adding new events all throughout September.