Last week, I had the opportunity to witness, once again, what a fantastic community Kirkland really is. With everything going on in the world, it can sometimes be hard to agree with, relate to or even talk with your neighbor. But on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I watched Kirkland come together. Through the Nourishing Network food drive, almost 200 donors from all over Kirkland – including families, retired citizens, local businesses, a Girl Scout troop and even a second grade class – dropped off box after box of food for the drive. And later that afternoon, we helped the staff from six Kirkland elementary schools get those boxes of food into the hands of Kirkland families in need of extra help. It was Kirkland helping Kirkland.

This particular type of food drive began three years ago when the Kirkland Nourishing Network (KNN) was created from a group of citizens who wanted solutions for food scarcity and hunger in Kirkland. KNN still meets to this day and the discussion table includes community members from business, PTAs, City Council, Hopelink, civic organizations, churches and non-profits. Among other endeavors and discussions, helping families with children during the school break times rose up to become a priority project. We started with a few families at one elementary and because of the outpouring of support from Kirkland, we expanded to six schools at Thanksgiving and will expand to even more for the December holiday break.

In one day, 8,000 pounds of food was lovingly donated and then passed along to more than 350 people in 67 families. Some donors included little notes of encouragement and well wishes, some decorated the food box with wrapping paper or hand prints from kids, some included a grocery card so families could buy meat as well, and some donated extra items, like baby formula, in addition to the “standard” box. A representative from Hopelink was at the pickup location to answer questions and remind families to use the services that Hopelink offers. And the Kirkland school counselors helped to coordinate with their school families for box pickup. This particular food drive model was even borrowed by, and put into use by, two Redmond schools that are helping their families too.

It was an amazing community effort and the recipients share their gratitude. One family said “Thank you so much for the food box. You have no idea how much it was needed.” Another mom said it was the first time they could have their extended family together for Thanksgiving because there was enough food to go around.

I’ve always enjoyed living in Kirkland, but now I’m exceedingly awed, humbled and proud as well. Thank you neighbors.

Lynette Apley, Kirkland

If you would like to help with the December holiday food drive for Kirkland families, visit http://www.mysignup.com/decemberholidaybreak