Food drive at Top Food and Drug during November

TOP Food and Drug, Haggen stores leading Northwest Harvest food drive

A food drive to stock the shelves of local food banks before the holidays is being conducted November 1-30 at TOP Food and Drug, and Haggen Food and Pharmacy stores in Washington.

Nonperishable food and cash donations will be collected for distribution to local food banks by Northwest Harvest. Northwest Harvest is the only nonprofit food bank distributor operating statewide in Washington with a network of over 325 food banks, meal programs and high-need elementary schools. Northwest Harvest provides over 1.6 million meals every month to its network.

Food banks are seeking canned food high in protein, canned fruit, pasta, rice and any other non-perishable 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 and Drug 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 and Drug stores. “We encourage individuals, organizations and businesses to be generous in helping the hungry.”

Participating stores include:

• Shoreline TOP Food and Drug, 1201 N 175th St.
• Edmonds TOP Food and Drug, 21900 Highway 99.

Haggen, Inc. operates 28 supermarkets in Washington and Oregon under the TOP Food and Drug and Haggen Food and Pharmacy names. Headquartered in Bellingham, it is the largest independent grocer based in the State of Washington.