Hopelink launches “End Summer Hunger” campaign to feed low-income kids

When school is out for the summer, many of the almost 16,000 children in north and east King County who qualify for free or reduced cost meals during the school year may go hungry.

In 2012, 28 percent or more than one out of four children in Shoreline Schools fall into this category.

Summer vacation may seem like a long time away for local school kids, but Hopelink’s annual grassroots campaign aimed at ensuring they have enough to eat when they’re on summer break is already up and running.

The “End Summer Hunger” fund and food drives – taking place now through August – bring together local businesses, organizations, schools and individuals to help provide low-income families with food for kids who receive free and reduced-fee breakfasts and lunches during the school year.

The campaign bridges the gap in regular healthy daytime meals when kids are not in school and the subsidized programs are not available.

The proceeds from End Summer Hunger will stock Hopelink’s five food banks for the high-demand demand summer months. In 2011, the End Summer Hunger campaign raised more than $180,000 in addition to thousands of pounds of food that benefited hundreds of families.

Hopelink Shoreline manager Leslie Brooks says there is never enough food to supply the Shoreline food back from Shoreline-Lake Forest Park resources.

"The amount of donations coming in from the community are not keeping up with the demand in the food bank.  Support has increased over time but the demand, unfortunately, hasn’t decreased.  I know times are tough for everyone and I really appreciated the support that we do get."

Food is brought in from the other four food banks to supply the demand in Shoreline.

Bank of America is the presenting sponsor for End Summer Hunger 2012. In addition to Signature Sponsor First Tech Credit Union, additional sponsors are Labor Ready, United Healthcare, Central Market, and Bookey Consulting.

For more information on how to get involved in Hopelink’s End Summer Hunger campaign, contact Ashley Stokes.