SEATTLE — The annual Home Team Harvest food drive is underway.
KING 5 and its community partners are aiming to raise 24 million meals for Washington state's largest annual food drive.
This food drive and others are ramping up for the holiday season. While many groups may ask you to participate in a food drive or host a drive - the American Heart Association of Washington is encouraging people to donate healthy foods.
Elena O'Callahan, a registered dietitian nutritionist and community impact manager for the AHA of Washington, stopped by the KING 5 studios to give people some tips on shopping for healthy foods and how to best help a food bank when hosting a drive of your own.
To see all of O'Callahan's recommendations, click the video player above.
While purchasing heart healthy foods is important, O'Callahan said the AHA is also encouraging people to donate healthy culturally relevant foods to food banks to better serve the state's diverse communities.
The holiday season means families may be gathering together to enjoy meals and O'Callahan said those meals and traditions can vary amongst cultures.
To learn more heart healthy tips and find AHA Washington resources - click here.
How to help
Click here to donate online through Northwest Harvest between now and the end of the year.
Through Dec. 31, donate $5, $10 or $12 towards grocery cards at your local Safeway store.
In-person donations will also be accepted at a number of locations on Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drive up donations will be accepted at the following locations:
- Rainier Beach Safeway, 9262 Rainier Avenue S, Seattle, WA
- Eloise's Cooking Pot, 10303 Portland Ave E, Tacoma, WA
- Feeding Feasible Feasts, Bothell United Methodist Church, 18515 92nd Avenue NE, Bothell, WA
Walk up donations only will be accepted at Lumen Field prior to the Seahawks game that day.
Tune in to KING 5 on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 9 a.m. for a one-hour broadcast special to see how your support for Home Team Harvest helps change lives in our community.