Kirkland Nourishing Network is continuing, with your support, to provide school break nourishment to needy elementary school children and their families. You really came through with Thanksgiving and December holiday breaks. It is surprising to many that we have real need, right here in our community. Teachers and school counselors, who see these kids every day, have identified gaps in meeting needs for some of the most needy. We’ve made it pretty simple for you to be part of the solution, though. If you would volunteer to shop for a box of food (menu provided) and drop off the box at a central site on Feb. 9, that evening the box will be in the home of a family that really needs it. Each box is under $50 with a standard menu of items.

You and your neighbors have filled the need every school break for the past four years. This project is for the mid-winter school break.

The key thing to realize is that you don’t have to dedicate long hours and great effort to make a real difference in the lives of Kirkland neighbors. We have expanded to all Kirkland elementary schools with identified need. That means we need donors for about 200 boxes of food – helping over 150 families. Some neighbors struggle more than we appreciate; but, together, we can help to fill the need.

Everything you need to know is on the sign-up links at http://www.nourishingnetworks.net/kirkland/. Just select a convenient drop-off location (north or south). Once on the sign-up page, click on a “Sign Up” box (or two) and then click on “Submit and Sign Up.” The grocery list link is above the sign-up list.

You don’t have to uphold your commitment if you think things might possibly change. If something unanticipated arises, then you can offer the box you signed up for to someone else. Just let us know as far ahead of time as possible. If you want to donate but will be away, so you can’t shop for fresh food, let Dave Asher know (daveasher@comcast.net), and he will work to find volunteers with the Eastside Timebank or other local volunteers to do the shopping and drop-off.

A great thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland for providing funds, this year, to supplement the boxes.

Thanks to all of you for considering to help your neighbors in need.

Kirkland Nourishing Network is a group of Kirkland residents making a difference in the community for local kids.