Next time you go to a Bartell Drugs store – starting Monday – take along a nonperishable food donation to help with the hunger crisis – we received this announcement from Bartell:

“Stock the Pantry” Food Drive June 1-14: helping to
feed out-of-school children and their families during
summer months

WHAT: Bartell Drugs launches the “Stock the Pantry”
food drive with Northwest Harvest by accepting
nonperishable food donations at all 55 Bartell Drug
locations from June 1 to June 14.

The drive builds on a long-time relationship
between Bartell’s and Northwest Harvest to support
in-need families in the communities we serve.

THE NEED: This two-week food drive is especially
important to help Northwest Harvest replenish food
stocks during summer months–when families that
normally depend on free or reduced-price school meals
may struggle to provide those meals at home.

Some “kid-friendly” food item
suggestions include tuna, instant oatmeal, macaroni and
cheese, peanut butter, cheese crackers, applesauce and
canned fruit in individual serving sizes.

WHEN: June 1 – June 14, 2009

WHERE: All 55 Bartell Drugs Locations in King, Pierce
and Snohomish Counties
For more information on Bartell Drugs
locations, visit www.bartelldrugs.com

FAST FACTS:
* Only 2 out of 5 low-income children who receive
a school lunch also receive a lunch in the summer
months. – Western Region Anti-Hunger Consortium

* 16% (approximately 226,000) of Washington’s
children under 18 live below the federal poverty level.
– American Community Survey, 2006 and Washington Kids
Count, 2009

* Washington children live in families and
communities that are facing harsh cuts in health care
and other services.

* Over the next year in Washington, an estimated
40,000 new kids will drop into poverty, driving up the
need for programs that help children and families. –
Children’s Alliance, May 2009

* Children suffer when their parents lose jobs
and health insurance and can’t make ends meet.

* Demand for safety net programs will grow as
unemployment rises, further straining a system that
isn’t able to meet the need we have now.