POULSBO — The third annual Fill the Bus campaign collected more than 1,000 pounds of food for local non-profits and supplies for Stand Up for Kids.
Buses parked from the end of October to Dec. 12 at North Kitsap High School and Kingston Middle School were filled with food and supplies. At the end of the campaign, the food was distributed to North Kitsap Fishline, ShareNet and the Kingston Food Bank.
Fishline received 1,017 pounds of food.
The Kingston donation drive, led by the Kingston High School ASB, collected 2,255 items, including food, clothing, toiletries and cash.
The supplies go to Stand Up for Kids, a non-profit that works to provide services to homeless and at-risk youth. Supplies included blankets, sleeping bags, socks and more.
The campaign was led by the schools’ Interact clubs and ASB. The Interact Club is a community service organization supported by Rotary.
North Kitsap High School librarian Mary Fox started the campaign three years ago. She finds school-based organizations to work with her each year.
Fox said the students learned there is a great need for support of homeless and at-risk youth.
“The kids were wonderful,” she said. “It was great. I know they learned there is a great need.”
According to Kitsap Community Resources, 11.3 percent of Kitsap residents live at or below the federal poverty threshold; 14.9 percent of people under the age of 18 are living below the poverty line.
Based on information from the Department of Social and Human Services, 1,165 people are without housing in Kitsap.
In the Oct. 16 homeless student update for the North Kitsap School District, 109 students were identified as homeless. That number is down from 156 in 2012-13. Students are considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
Other district donation drives
Wolfle Elementary: Records Secretary Stephanie Bento and Office Manager DiAnn Taylor ran a food and toy drive for ShareNet in Kingston. Meaningful Work students collected and counted the donations. They collected 1,655 pounds of food and collected the most toys in all of the Kingston area, according to district spokeswoman Jenn Markaryan.
Vinland Elementary: Community, staff and parents participated in a Holiday Gift Giving Tree, collecting toys and winter outerwear. This annual event is organized by Carolyn Mosiman, counselor, and staff members. All proceeds were donated to Fishline, who facilitated the process of getting items to North Kitsap families, Markaryan reported.
Kingston High School: ASB led the “Angel Tree” Toy Drive. Staff and students provide more than 100 “needs” and “wants” for children in Kitsap County. Toys, clothing, bikes, beds and books were among the gifts collected. The Key Club led a ShareNet toy drive collection.
North Kitsap School District: Staff of the North Kitsap School district participated in the annual “Season of Giving” donation drive for United Way. This year 81 staff members raised $13,268 for United Way of Kitsap County. The effort is coordinated by Markaryan and each building designates a representative.
Many other schools, including Pearson Elementary, support families during this time on in informal level. Others, like Suquamish Elementary, organize food drives after the holidays.
