December 3, 2009
U District Food Bank needs holiday help, and don’t forget other Combined Fund Drive agencies
The University District Food Bank is asking for some holiday help. And that’s perfect timing, because the Combined Fund Drive (CFD) is being extended by a week through Dec. 11, so you have more time to give that help.
And the University District Food bank will be the center of the CFD’s next Meet the Charities event, from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in 209B HUB. Food donations will be accepted at the event.
The need is real. Consider this: 2008 was the food bank’s busiest year ever, and 2009 is so far shaping up as 15 percent busier than that. This October was the agency’s busiest month ever, with 4,700 requests for groceries.
Helping others for 25 years now, the food bank is one of the 2,800 agencies helped by the CFD, the state of Washington’s and UW’s workplace giving campaign. Every week, the agency gives out groceries, toiletries, baby food and other supplies to about 1,000 families.
In a drive lasting through Dec. 18, the food bank is looking for donations of any nonperishable food items or baby products (food, formula, diapers, wipes, etc.). The top needs this fall are:
- canned fruit of all varieties
- rice or soy milk
- soups and stews
- diapers
- breakfast cereal
Food bank collection barrels are distributed throughout campus. If you are hosting a food drive for your unit, building or department and need a barrel, call 206-523-7060 or e-mail udfb@udistrictfoodbank.org.
The University District Food Bank is located in the basement of University Christian Church, 1413 NE 50th St. You don’t need to be visited by three ghosts to know that helping is the right thing to do.
As of Nov. 25, the 2009 Combined Fund Drive had raised $1,855,490 in pledges. To learn more about the Combined Fund Drive and donate online — to the food bank or any other agency — visit online here.
To learn more about the University District Food Bank, visit online here.
Brief news: Mission: Undercover, the drive to gather new underwear spearheaded by Mindy Kornberg, vice president for human resources, prompted donations of 1,329 pairs of underwear, socks and bras before ending on Nov. 18.
The donations will make the winter a warmer one for the University District Youth Center and YouthCare’s Orion Center, both serving area youth. The CFD awarded Gilda Franada and Michele Everett of Capital Project its Top Drawer Award, for collecting more undies than anyone else — 333 pairs in all.
