The Kitsap County Disaster Airlift Response Team (KC DART) is hosting a food drive as part of an emergency response training exercise. The food drive runs through Sept. 15.

“ KC DART is a group of volunteer pilots and ground crews from throughout Washington state that helps move goods and supplies during emergencies,” said Elizabeth Klute, director of Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management.

“Local VOAD [Volunteer Organization Active in Disaster] groups are an important part of emergency response and recovery,” she said.

The group’s food drive is used to further their emergency training, Klute said. Donations collected by DART groups will be flown to Jefferson County as part of a training mission to distribute food. Once in Jefferson County, the food is distributed to area food banks.

“Training is an essential part of any emergency plan,” Klute said. “This is a good way for KC DART to prepare for the next emergency. In a disaster, KC DART is able to provide critical lifesaving resources right where they’re needed.”

Donations can be purchased at local Port Orchard or Bremerton Fred Meyer stores. Let the cashier know your donations are for the KC DART food drive and they will reroute them for pickup.

Other donations can be made online. The online flyer provides more information about other ways people can help.