SEATTLE — The 19th annual Home Team Harvest broke records for the third year in a row, raising nearly 8 million meals for Northwest Harvest, the largest hunger-relief agency in Washington state.
KING 5 and Northwest Harvest collaborated with partners AT&T, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington, Safeway, Albertsons, and WARM 106.9 throughout the months of November and December to collect non-perishable food and cash donations.
This year’s goal of 7 million was blown away thanks to generous donations from sponsors and members of the community. A total of 7,982,154 meals were raised, making this the largest Home Team Harvest yet.
“We are truly honored to be a catalyst for generosity in our community through Home Team Harvest,” said KING 5 President and General Manager Jim Rose. “This campaign brings everyone at KING 5 together alongside our wonderful partners, volunteers, and donors, to make the biggest impact possible for Northwest Harvest and Washington families. We couldn’t be prouder to work and live in this community full of so many people eager to help their neighbors.”
Hundreds of food banks and meal programs in Washington state will benefit from the effort. Northwest Harvest has a statewide network of 375 food banks, meal programs, and high-need schools. This campaign assures that they can help stock food pantries across the state through the winter and into spring.
“Northwest Harvest is overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support,” said Northwest Harvest CEO Thomas Reynolds. “Every donor of food, money, or time in support of Home Team Harvest should feel a great sense of pride in how we came together as a community and made a positive impact on those who struggle with hunger.”
Home Team Harvest was born out of the emotional and economic trauma that followed the September 11th attacks. Eighteen years later, it is our state’s largest food drive.
In its lifetime, Home Team Harvest has raised over 55 million meals for Washington families.
KING 5 and our partners are committed to supporting Northwest Harvest in 2020 and beyond.
The next Home Team Harvest is set for Dec. 5, 2020, but Northwest Harvest accepts non-perishable and cash donations all year long at their donation sites or online at www.northwestharvest.org.
