Football season is in full swing and along with it, the traditional University of Washington and Washington State University rivalry, which culminates in the Apple Cup. Ordinary citizens of Kingston will have little impact on the outcome of the game no matter how fervent fans we may be. But we can support our favorite team to a guaranteed victory for the community by joining Kingston Kiwanis for its fifteenth annual Apple Cup Food Drive, Saturday, Nov. 23.
In the Apple Cup Food Drive, community members purchase food donations and place them in the team grocery basket of their choice – University of Washington Huskies or Washington State University Cougars. Donations earn points for the team. A turkey or ham scores a touchdown (seven points); a bag of groceries scores a field goal; individual items such as a jar of peanut butter or a bag of potatoes score one point, as does each dollar of a cash donated. Touchdowns may also be earned by other big ticket items such as a box of diapers. Each hour, or quarter, points are tallied and at the end of the day a winner declared. Of course, the real winner is the community as all donations of food and cash are passed on to the ShareNet Food Bank and the Kingston Food Bank.
Join in the fun! You will spot Kingston Kiwanis and Kingston High School Key Club members in their favorite team colors in front of the Kingston Food Market and the Kingston Albertson’s from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. Help fill the shelves at local food banks and support your favorite Apple Cup team by making your generous donations.
For the past several years, the team earning the most points has vacillated between the Huskies and the Cougs, but the community support for the Kiwanis and the food banks has been consistent and strong. Over 2,000 pounds of food has been collected each year, split between the food banks in proportion to their size. The event helps top off Thanksgiving baskets given out the week following the Apple Cup Food Drive and helps restock shelves for the upcoming Christmas holiday demands.
In other Kiwanis news, the club welcomed its new president for 2019-2020, Jan Erickson. Jan and president-elect Jim Repnik will be installed on Nov. 14 at a potluck dinner hosted by the Kingston High Key Club with a Hollywood dress up theme. Completing the 2019-2020 Kingston Kiwanis Board will be first vice president for programs Judy Snell, secretary Debbie Anderson, treasurer Dahlia Malin and past president Glenn Malin. Club directors will be Judy Osborn, Jenn Menne and Rick Eveleth. The club is looking forward to another great year of service to the children and families of Kingston. New members are always welcomed. Join us for breakfast Thursday mornings at the Kingston Village Green Community Center.
