Kirkland Nourishing Network (KNN) sign-ups for donating food boxes for winter break, the longest break of the school year, have opened.

The group’s goal is to collect and distribute more than 400 boxes of food for this break.

KNN food boxes supplement the food available to school children in need during the four longest breaks of each school year.

Normally these kids receive free or reduced-price meals at school and most receive Pantry Packs on weekends, but there is no other program providing food assistance during the breaks throughout the school year.

The families to receive assistance are identified by school counselors and teachers.

There is a standard shopping list for what food goes in each box. This year, drop-off for winter break is the morning of Dec. 20 at two locations, one in south Kirkland and one in north Kirkland.

According to a press release, the people of Kirkland have a long reputation of stepping up to help the less fortunate. Donating a food box through KNN requires only a commitment to shop for a box of food and deliver it, the release states.

To see the shopping list and sign up to bring one or more food boxes, visit kirklandnourishing network.org.