A food drive to stock the shelves of local food banks before the holidays is under way at Top Food & Drug and Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores in Washington.

From now until Nov. 30, the 106.1 KISS FM Fill the Mayflower food drive seeks to fill the moving company’s vans stationed at the Bellevue and Tacoma Top Food & Drug stores.

Nonperishable food and cash donations will be collected for distribution to local food banks by Northwest Harvest (www.northwestharvest.org).

Two Auburn Top Food & Drug stores – 1702 Auburn Way N. and 1406 Lake Tapps Parkway E. – have joined the drive.

Northwest Harvest is the only nonprofit food bank distributor operating statewide in Washington with a network of more than 325 food banks, meal programs and high-need elementary schools.

Food banks are seeking canned food high in protein, canned fruit, pasta, rice and other nonperishable food items. Donors also may purchase pre-stuffed bags of groceries that include tuna, macaroni and cheese, peaches, chili, green beans and pinto beans for $5 apiece at Top Food & Drug and Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores or make donations at the cash register of $10 or $20.

Requests for assistance at local food banks have been steadily rising the last several years. Also, low-income families are hit harder by higher heating costs during fall and winter. Many food-bank clients are senior citizens or families with children.

“Small donations can add up to make a big difference in our communities,” said Becky Skaggs, spokesperson for TOP Food & Drug and Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores. “We encourage individuals, organizations and businesses to be generous in helping the hungry.”