Shoreline businesses collect 1,895 pounds of food in week 1 of March Can Madness drive

16 businesses remain in four-week tournament (see previous story)

Three Shoreline businesses remain in the competition after the first round of Hopelink’s March Can Madness competitive food drive to help stock the agency’s food banks. The single-elimination competition continues through March 30.

In week one of the contest, TONI and GUY Hairdressing Academy collected 801 pounds of food, followed by Chuck Olson Chevrolet Kia, with 668 pounds. Sterling Savings Bank collected 386 pounds, and Dale Turner Family YMCA brought in 40 pounds.

To ensure that businesses of all sizes are able to compete on a level playing field, the competition uses a unique scoring system: the total pounds of food donated by a business are divided by the total number of employees, resulting in a competitive “score” – giving Sterling Savings Bank the lead in Shoreline with a score of 96.5, followed by TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy at 80.1.

In Round II, Sterling Savings Bank will face off against TONI and GUY Hairdressing Academy, while Chuck Olson Chevrolet Kia will take on Jake's Kirkland/Life is Good.

The 32 businesses competing in Round I collected a total of 4,935 pounds of food and $1,090 in cash.

Hopelink’s third annual competition is patterned after the national spring college basketball tournament, matching businesses in weekly contests to see which one can bring in the most food. Teams are bracketed together in pairs and one winner from each 2-member bracket advances to the following week.

Businesses set to face off in Round II of the competition include 8 Redmond businesses, 5 Kirkland businesses, as well as the 3 Shoreline businesses:

• Chuck Olson Chevrolet Kia, Shoreline, Aurora
• Sterling Savings Bank, Shoreline, Ballinger Way
• TONI and GUY Hairdressing Academy, Shoreline, Gateway Plaza

Toni and Guy is keeping its competitive edge by giving basic haircuts for the price of 5 cans of food.

All three businesses welcome your donations of cash and cans of non-perishable food.

Since 1971, Hopelink has served homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities in north and east King County by promoting self-sufficiency for all members of our community and helping people make lasting change. Hopelink assists people with meeting their needs for food, shelter, homelessness prevention, family development and stabilization, transportation and adult literacy skills. Information on Hopelink and its services, 425-869-6000.