Bartell Drugs partners with Food Lifeline for "Bartell's Community Food Drive" May 19 to June 1

Helping out-of-school children, families and senior citizens in need this summer - "Bartell's Community Food Drive" May 19 to June 1

Bartell Drugs'   tradition of helping to fight hunger in the Puget Sound area continues with the "Bartell's Community Food Drive," a community partnership with Food Lifeline, May 19 to June 1.

All 58 Bartell Drugs locations will be accepting non-perishable food items to replenish local food banks in the summer months when families that normally depend on free or reduced-price school meals may struggle to provide healthy meals at home.

Suggested foodstuffs include tuna, instant oatmeal, cereals macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jam, cheese crackers, applesauce and canned fruit.  Other items include baby formula diapers, baby food (boxes or plastic tubs only) and personal care items such as toothpaste, tooth brushes, tissues, shampoo and conditioner, soap and feminine hygiene products.

Since 2009, Bartell Drugs' leadership role in summer food drives has generated over 125,000 pounds of food for local food banks.

"For many families, dealing with food hardship is an ongoing challenge, and the need becomes more acute during the summer months when children are at home," said Bartell Drugs Chairman & CEO George D. Bartell. "With the support of our customers, we hope to fill a very important need in the communities we serve."

Seattle-based Bartell Drugs owns and operates 58 stores throughout King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Family-owned since 1890, it is the oldest family-owned drugstore chain in the United States.

Food Lifeline is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger in Western Washington. In 2012, Food Lifeline distributed more than 35 million pounds of food-- the equivalent of more than 27 million meals to feed hungry people.