Gig Harbor Schools Gather 21,000 Donations To Help Those In Need

GIG HARBOR, WA — Last month Peninsula High and Gig Harbor High competed to see which high school could gather the most donations to help hungry children in need.

Now, the results are in and the Peninsula School District says the two high schools gathered an excess of 21,000 food items. As for the competition, Gig Harbor High edged out Peninsula, gathering a total 10,866 items. Peninsula was no slouch though, gathering 10,302 donations of their own.

Each year the Peninsula School District puts on the Food Bowl, a weeks-long competition challenging students to gather as many food donations as they can. Donations go to support Food Backpacks 4 Kids, a Gig Harbor-based nonprofit that feeds hungry children and their families.

Food Backpacks 4 Kids was founded in 2009 to support struggling children in the Key Peninsula in Gig Harbor. Organizers say in the 12 years since they were founded, they've given out more than one million pounds of food, and 7,000 pounds of food to local families each week. They also give out 300 backpacks filled with over 10 pounds of food every week that school is in session.

You can learn more about their mission and how to get involved at their website, www.foodbackpacks4kids.org.

Patch has teamed with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.