Stroll & Knock, the nation’s largest one-day meals drive, is making ready to gather donations in Clark County for the fortieth yr.
This yr, 206,000 luggage will probably be mailed to houses throughout Clark County beginning after Thanksgiving, making it straightforward for households to donate. Starting at 9 a.m. Dec. 7, volunteers will go door-to-door to gather nonperishable meals and toiletries. All donations will probably be given to the Clark County Meals Financial institution.
“Hunger insecurity is a real, but largely invisible problem,” Stroll & Knock President Justin Wooden mentioned. “One in four here needs our help. Every pound of food collected and dollar donated goes to the Clark County Food Bank for distribution to food pantries throughout the county.”
Group members also can carry nonperishable meals donations to taking part Clark County Riverview Financial institution branches, Les Schwab Tire Facilities or McDonald’s areas starting Dec. 3 Taking part areas — listed at walkandknock.org/barrel-locations — will take donations by means of Dec. 13.
Final yr, Stroll & Knock collected 271,095 kilos of meals and toiletries and $20,000 in money.
Former Stroll & Knock President Tom Knappenberger mentioned volunteers are nonetheless wanted to assist with assortment.
Whereas donations have returned to pre-COVID ranges, the variety of volunteers engaged on the day of the meals drive has dropped from about 4,000 to 2,000.
Vancouver Lions Membership members Bud Pasmore and Doug Rae began Stroll & Knock in 1982 with assist from the Hazel Dell and Orchards/Evergreen Lions golf equipment. Because it started, Stroll & Knock has collected between 150,000 and 300,000 kilos of meals yearly.
“I just think it’s so basic for people to have food,” Knappenberger mentioned. “Walk & Knock is local, it’s homegrown and it’s grown into the largest in the country. We should be proud of that here in Vancouver.”