Post Halloween, donations help feed Central Kitsap

Central Kitsap fall festival organizers report a successful Halloween season. A surge of food and monetary donations are making their way to food banks, YMCA Strong Kids, and other local programs.

"[USS Turner Joy] will be presenting the YMCA Strong Kids with a $1000 check on Thursday Nov. 10," said Amy Bodlorick, event coordinator for the haunted ship. The ship also held a successful canned food drive which is en route to the Central Kitsap Food Bank.

Bodlorick described the attendance at the "haunted" ship as very strong. Even with occasional showers and cold temperatures, patrons waited in line with good spirits.

The Kitsap Haunted Fairgrounds also collected canned goods for Bremerton Foodline.

"The Fairgrounds gave something like 2,000 pounds of food last year. It had to be lifted with a forklift several times, absolutely a substantial amount of food," said Susan Robinson, office coordinator for Bremerton Foodline.

On Oct. 31, Bruce Waterbury, recreation specialist for the Haunted Fairgrounds said that they were pleased by the attendance this year. Patrons' participation was nearly par to record donations made last year.

It isn't just organizations that are pitching in this fall.

"Individual families have been bringing in surplus from Halloween parties too," said Hoyt Burrows, director of the Central Kitsap Food Bank.

Nikki Johanson, owner of Pheasant Fields Farm in Silverdale, said that food is a pressing concern this fall and winter.

"I have a huge concern for people this season. Hunger in Kitsap is getting worse. [The farm] educates people on growing their own food, whether it's on their land or even in containers," said Johanson.

Pheasant Fields will donate all surplus pumpkins, raw and baked into sugar pies, to the local food banks.

"We really shouldn't have any hungry people in Kitsap. Everyone needs to do their part," said Johanson.

 

 

 

Contact Central Kitsap Reporter staff JJ Swanson at jswanson@centralkitsapreporter.com or (360) 308-9161 ext.5062.

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