The Food Pantry operated by the City’s Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS) depends on local food donations from service clubs, faith organizations, PTAs, businesses, individuals and families to keep the shelves stocked.

The Food Pantry is visited almost 1500 times per year by qualified Island residents and there is typically a 30 percent increase in visits over the summer months. At the same time, summer is the leanest month for food donations as many of our donors are on vacation.

To bridge the gap, MIYFS is launching a new “Fill the Van” food drive campaign during the weekend of Summer Celebration, July 14 to 15. The van will be in the Summer Celebration parade and at the MIYFS booth to highlight the issue of food insecurity which also impacts some members of our community.

Organizers ask locals to bring a bag or two of non-perishable food items and help them fill the van to the roof. For people who shop locally at New Seasons Market, they offer the ability to donate easily to MIYFS at the checkout.

Suggested non-perishable food items for donation include canned fruit, canned tuna, pasta sauces and meals-in-a-box (e.g. Rice-A-Roni) products. For more information, contact MIYFS at (206) 275-7611.