For the Reporter

Bartell Drugs’ tradition of helping to fight hunger in the Puget Sound area continues with the “Bartell’s Community Food Drive,” a community partnership with Food Lifeline, now through June 27.

Area Bartell stores – including Auburn, 3902 A St. SE, and Kent, 12946 SE Kent-Kangley Road – are accepting non-perishable food items to replenish local food banks in the summer months when families that normally depend on free or reduced-price school meals may struggle to provide healthy meals at home.

Suggested foodstuffs to purchase for in-store donations include tuna, instant oatmeal, cereals, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jam, cheese crackers, applesauce and canned fruit.

Last year’s food drive generated over 5,400 pounds of food donations—the rough equivalent of 4,520 meals. Bartell Drugs’ food drives over the past five years have totaled over 138,400 pounds of food donations.

“For many families, dealing with food hardship is an ongoing challenge, and the need becomes more acute during the summer months when children are at home and school programs are not available,” said Bartell Drugs Chairman George D. Bartell. “With the support of our customers, we hope to fill a very important need in the communities we serve.”

LINKS:

For more information, visit www.bartelldrugs.com, www.foodlifeline.org.