MIHS Band Collects 4,600 Pounds of Food for Food Pantry

Despite the end of the school year and summer around the corner, members of the l Band stayed focused on giving back to the community and collected more than 4,600 pounds of food for the Mercer Island Food Pantry, according to a city press release.

Acknowledging the strong support and encouragement from the community (in particular the help they received to take part in the ), the band organized an Island-wide food drive on June 2 dubbed the "MIHS Band Can Drive" and went door-to-door collecting cans of food. Groups of band members organized by different sections (woodwinds, trumpets, clarinets, etc.) competed to see who could collect the most canned goods by weight. This year, the Mellophone section (large trumpet instrument) won the competition, and will enjoy a pizza party before the end of the school year.

The bags, boxes, and bundles of food delivered to (MIYFS) will be crucial for the Food Panty which has seen a sustained 125% increase in utilization by Islanders since 2009. Because donations typically fall off during the summer months, filling the shelves now means Islanders in need will be able to rely on the Food Pantry to have adequate nutritional resources over the summer.

The Mercer Island Food Pantry serves approximately 150 Island families annually and depends on the generosity of Islanders for non-perishable food donations. "The MIHS band really has gone above and beyond this year — MIYFS is so thankful for the incredible efforts of the MIHS student musicians and I want to thank them for their contribution to this food drive which means so much to many of our fellow Islanders," says MIYFS Director Cynthia Goodwin.

Non-perishable food donations are accepted year-round at the MIYFS offices in , on 78th Ave SE, at 2755 77th Ave SE, and the at 7710 SE 34th Street. For information about the Food Pantry or for help coordinating a donation or food drive, contact MIYFS Emergency Assistance Coordinator Cheryl Manriquez at 206.275.7869 or cheryl.manriquez@mercergov.org.