As the holiday season approaches, thoughts turn to quality time with loved ones, the onset of cozy season, and the approach of many hearty shared meals.
But it can be challenging to welcome winter if you can’t buy the right ingredients or don’t have stable housing.
From 2015-21, the percentage of Kitsap County residents experiencing food insecurity — meaning they did not have reliable access to a sufficient amount of affordable, nutritious food — trended downward from 19% to 11.5%. The rate held steady in 2022, but that still meant that 30,890 people in Kitsap did not have consistent access to food.
Additionally, the percentage of youth in Kitsap experiencing food insecurity was 11% in Kitsap, compared to 8% statewide. Black and Hispanic residents were about 2 1/2 times more likely to have poor access to food.
The need for social services and increased donations prevail. In November last year food banks like Fishline in Poulsbo reported a 40% increase in demand for services. Disasters like the flooding that destroyed 20,000 pounds of food at the South Kitsap Helpline last December also added strain to the social services network.
Here are some food banks and meal programs around Kitsap that are accepting donations of food this holiday season.
Kitsap County Food Bank Coalition
Each region of Kitsap has its own blend of social services, but they all are home to at least one food bank. LifeCare Community Food Bank and South Kitsap Helpline in Port Orchard, Fishline in Poulsbo, Helpline House on Bainbridge Island, Central Kitsap Food Bank in Silverdale and ShareNet in Kingston are the backbone of the food resources network in the county.
All of those organizations are accepting direct donations, but some are partnering with local businesses to promote giving.
CK Food Bank, Helpline House, SK Food Bank, Fishline and ShareNet are partnering with Reliable Storage for its donation drive through Nov. 23. Donating five non-perishable food items earns you $25 off of your storage unit in December and a chance to win a Seahawks-themed gift basket — which contains two tickets to the Dec. 22 Seahawks-Vikings game.
Port Orchard Ford is also stepping up for SK Helpline with a Fall Food Drive through Nov. 24, and offering “exciting prizes” for those who participate — such as a free oil change. The car dealership is accepting protein-rich items, canned soups, jarred foods, canned fruit, non-perishables, baby food, pet food and toiletries.
For Thanksgiving, Helpline House has a list of most-needed donations on its website and is accepting donations of food on-site and in bins in Town & Country and Safeway on BI. Local grocery store gift cards up to $25 are essential, but little luxuries like coffee and tea, sparkling beverages, spices, canned olives and pumpkin, stuffing, and many baking supplies are all needed. HH is also accepting donations of food kits — medium-sized bags with all the shelf-stable ingredients necessary to make one holiday dish. Check the organization’s website for ideas.
St Vincent de Paul
This church-based nonprofit will host several holiday grocery market events from Nov. 19 to Dec. 20. At the “new and improved food bank,” households may select frozen turkeys or chickens, fresh produce, boxed sides such as holiday stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, green bean casserole and more. Those visiting on Dec. 20 may also meet Santa.
The church has called for donations to assist in purchasing fresh produce for an anticipated 500 Thanksgiving meals. Donations both food and money are accepted at 1117 N. Callow Ave in Bremerton.
Pacific Northwest Title
The Silverdale insurance and real estate legal agency is hosting its 20th annual food drive until Nov. 15. The agency partners with the Kitsap County Food Bank Coalition to distribute canned goods to various food banks around the county. Donations of food and cash are accepted.
