Three local food banks received major upgrades in May thanks to a unique project involving five Rotary Clubs in Kitsap County and North Mason.

Bremerton Rotary, East Bremerton Rotary, North Mason Rotary, Port Orchard Rotary and South Kitsap Rotary teamed up to raise more than $12,000, which was matched by a $10,500 grant secured in a competitive process from Rotary District 5020.

The clubs then purchased two commercial freezers for North Mason Food Bank, a new commercial refrigerator at Bremerton Foodline and a complete electrical upgrade to South Kitsap Helpline’s facility.

The combined grant application was a pilot project for Rotary International’s District 5020 clubs to participate in during the 2015-16 year. Local club presidents quickly joined together in the application. District 5020 includes Western Washington and British Columbia.

“I’d never heard of multiple Rotary clubs coming together to do a project of this nature,” said Jay Lovato, president of the East Bremerton Rotary. “To be able to come together and work cooperatively to do it all at once was amazing.”

Members of the Rotary clubs in Bremerton, East Bremerton, South Kitsap, Port Orchard and North Mason raised the money and contributed volunteer labor at all three food banks, including removing old equipment and prepping each facility for the upgrades.

At the North Mason Food Bank, the additional freezer capacity will help the organization purchase larger quantities of meats, take advantage of sale prices and allow them to accept donations of dairy products or bread that may have been declined in the past due to a lack of space.

“One-hundred percent of our clients will benefit from the space we’re getting,” said Linda Rogers, director of the North Mason Food Bank.

Rogers said the North Mason Rotary arrived not only with the freezers, but filled them with hot dogs during an event in May. Similar “fill the fridge” drives were held by Rotarians in Bremerton and Port Orchard.

“It’s very unique,” Rogers said. “We’re thrilled to pieces.”