SEATTLE — KING 5 has a goal to raise 23 million meals for Home Team Harvest. It is Washington's largest annual food drive.
Northwest Harvest, the state's largest hunger relief agency, receives all the donations. Working with a statewide network of 400 food banks, meal programs, and schools, the nonprofit gets food to every county in Washington.
Donations can be made at Safeway and Albertsons stores. As of this article being published, the grocery store chain has raised $1.7 million. Their efforts will continue through the month of December.
The Bothell Safeway has raised $24,000, more than half of their $40,000 goal. Store Director Staci Marshall said she sees first-hand the need in her community.
"You see a lot more planning for folks. I see a lot more people walking around with lists," Marshall said. "A lot of it is going back to the basics, your bread, pasta, fruits, and veggies."
The basics, Marshall said, allows people to feed their families on a budget. Knowing customers have to make hard choices about what they buy makes getting donations to Northwest Harvest even more important for Marshall and her team.
Along with donating while you grocery shop, KING 5 is hosting its annual Home Team Harvest on Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. KING 5 employees along with our partners will be at the two Safeway locations below encouraging people to give back to their community.
- Rainier Safeway: 9262 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118
- Everett Safeway: 5802 134th Place SE, Everett, WA 98208