The Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry, “Share What You Can,” campaign announced that from Sept. 26 through Oct. 24, East King County food bank shelves were filled thanks to the 77,000-plus pounds of food collected. Cash donations were also received totaling almost $10,000, including a $5,000 contribution from Walmart.

The cities of Kirkland, Bellevue, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Redmond, and Sammamish participated in the Month of Concern for the Hungry and encouraged their residents to donate food in this month-long drive.

The emphasis for drive was to “Share What You Can” and fill food bank shelves with non-perishable food items before the holidays. Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry was a community-wide effort benefiting all local area food banks, including Hopelink, Emergency Feeding Program, ARAS Foundation, Issaquah Food Bank, Mercer Island Food Pantry, and Renewal Food program. Neighborhood associations, community leaders, faith organizations, businesses, hospitals and schools organized local efforts by hosting food drives and fundraising events in their city.

For more information on the results of the drive, visit www.eastsideforum.org/fooddrive or contact Carrie Hite, Deputy Director, City of Kirkland, Parks & Community Services Department at 425-587-3320 or chite@ci.kirkland.wa.us.