As we first alerted our Readers April 7, Highline Public Schools participated in a district-wide food drive for the first time this year, bringing in 6,365 pounds of food and over $2,400 in cash, with all proceeds going to three area food banks: Des Moines, White Center, and Highline Food Banks.

“It’s a great start,” said White Center Food Bank’s Resource Coordinator Audrey Zemke. “Now that we have the basics in place, I’m excited to see what we can do next year!”

And, according to the Highline School District, they definitely will do it again next year.

Here is a breakdown of the results, by area:

The Des Moines Area Food Bank received a total of 1,384 pounds of food and $2,003.93.

• 1,384 pounds of food from Parkside Elementary.
• $1,805.00 from Des Moines Elementary’s penny drive
• $140.00 from ERAC

The Highline Area Food Bank received a total of 2,684 pounds of food and $365.00.

• 943 pounds of food from Gregory Heights Elementary
• 461 pounds of food from CHOICE
• 239 pounds of food from Highline High School
• 511 pounds of food and $160.00 from Transportation
• 530 pounds of food from Facilities
• $205.00 from ERAC

The White Center Food Bank received a total of 2,297 pounds of food and $39.00.

• 561 pounds of food from Cedarhurst Elementary
• 320 pounds of food from the Honor Society at Evergreen High School
• 1,237 pounds of food & $15.00 from Hazel Valley Elementary
• 100 pounds of food & $24.00 from ERAC
• 79 pounds of food from Shorewood Elementary

The Des Moines Area Food Bank is holding a fundraiser Italian Dinner this Saturday, Feb. 13th, beginning at 6:30 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, which is located at 15226 21st Ave SW in Burien.

The Des Moines Area Food Bank serves the city of Des Moines, most of the city of SeaTac and parts of Normandy Park and the West Hill of Kent.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines Food Bank Italian Dinner

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13th beginning at 6:30pm

WHERE: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, which is located at 15226 21st Ave SW in Burien

COST: $25 per ticket; call for reservations: (206) 878-2660.

INFO: Here’s what to expect on the menu:

• Antipasto
• Salad
• Penne pasta with red sauce & meatballs
• Coffee
• Tea
• Dessert
• No host bar (beer and wine)

For more information, visit the Des Moines Area Food Bank website: www.myfoodbank.org.

The annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser for the Highline Area Food Bank was a smash hit Friday (Jan. 29th), setting records in both attendance (964 diners) and total amount of money raised (over $13,000).

“We had 477 people attend during lunch and 487 who came out for dinner,” said Mike Werle, Highline Food Bank Executive Director. “The amount of money raised was a little over $13,000.”

Werle added, “There must have been over 40 people who volunteered at the event, many of who were probably not counted because they didn’t come through the front door. Therefore I think we had over 1,000 people who contributed to the dollar total.”

“Do me a favor and put a big plug in for all the work that Gina Kallman and Debra George put in to make this event happen. They are awesome!”

Here’s a Photo Slideshow shot during the dinner serving by Scott Schaefer:

Click to View Scott Schaefer’s Photo Slideshow

Also, as previously reported, BTB Photographer Michael Brunk took these shots during the lunch hour:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow