(File photo: David Carlos)
The Evergreen State Fair is hosting its annual Fair Food Drive and there are multiple ways to get involved.
The main drive-thru event will be held in the west (red) parking lot of Evergreen State Fair Park in Monroe on Saturday, July 13, from noon to 5 p.m., where the community can drop off donations, according to a news release.
With support from Lee Johnson Auto Family, drop-off options will also be available from June 24th through July 11th at various Lee Johnson Auto Family locations throughout the area (see list below).
For every donation of five or more shelf-stable, non-expired items at the drop-off location or drive-thru event, donors will receive one weekday admission ticket to the 2024 Evergreen State Fair presented by Lee Johnson Auto Family. Donations will benefit the Snohomish Food Bank Coalition.
“Each year, the fair draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and provides a significant economic boost to Snohomish County,” said Snohomish County Mayor Dave Summers. “And each year we get the opportunity to give back to local residents in need through the fair's food drive. We encourage all residents and visitors to donate to the food drive if they can, and we're grateful to the Lee Johnson Auto Family for their tireless support of Snohomish County families.”
In 2023, the drive-thru food drive was a success, collecting 19,195 pounds of food to be donated to the Snohomish County Food Bank Coalition. “It means so much to us to have people in the community come together to support our neighbors in need,” said Sharon Swan, Director of the Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Department. “We are so grateful for our partners, sponsors and donors. Our goal is to surpass last year's donations. Please get involved and support your community!”
By having the food drive earlier rather than on the first day of the fair, as has been traditional, it removes the pressure of having to come to the fair on a specific day to save on admission fees: once attendees have their tickets, they can choose any weekday to enjoy the fair.
Recommended non-perishable, non-expiring donation items include:
Baby wipes Hygiene/toiletries Canned vegetables Pasta (whole wheat) Peanut butter Rice Shelf-stable milk Jellies and jams Canned meat Canned fruit Kitchen staples (spices, flour, sugar, cooking oil, salt) Pet food
Available drop-off locations from June 24th to July 11th, 2024:
Lee Johnson Chevrolet
Lee Johnson Mazda
Lee Johnson Kear
11845 NE 85th Street, Kirkland
Lee Johnson Nissan of Kirkland
11930 124th Avenue Northeast, Kirkland
Speedway Chevrolet & RV
16957 West Main Street, Monroe
Lee Johnson Hyundai of Everett
7800 Evergreen Way, Everett
Kirkland's Origins
13400 NE 124th Street, Kirkland
Autolite Motors Bothell
17318 Bothell Way Northeast, Bothell
Autolite Motors Lake Stevens
2022 87th Avenue Southeast, Lake Stevens
Lee Johnson Mazda of Seattle
8100 Lake City Way Northeast, Seattle
For every five or more non-perishable, non-expired items donated at the drop-off location or drive-thru event, donors will receive one weekday admission ticket to the 2024 Evergreen State Fair. Tickets are limited to one per person and five per vehicle (tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis). Cash donations do not count toward tickets.
Monetary donations can be made through the Snohomish County Food Bank Coalition website at www.snohomishcountyfoodbankcoalition.org For more information, visit https://www.evergreenfair.org/279/Fair-Food-Drive
