Volunteers come together in unique food drive for families in need

DUPONT, Wash. — The community of DuPont is stepping up in a big way to help families in need.

“It’s pretty sad, tough times right now -- to do something like this makes you feel good,” said volunteer Francisca Vanderraay.

Dozens of volunteers of all ages spent their Saturday sorting and organizing food and other household essentials. But this isn’t your typical food drive. The idea started with Sue Larsen, owner of NextHome South Sound.

“We first recruited bag donations and everybody was contributing, dropping off paper bags for us to use,” Larsen explained.

Volunteers stapled instructions to each bag. Then they dropped them off to each of the 3,000 homes in DuPont.

“We got the bags delivered to doorsteps, so that was the extra step that was a little different, so it makes it easier for folks to contribute and donate,” Larsen added.

All people had to do was fill up their bags and put them back out on their doorstep. Volunteers then returned to pick up the bags now filled with food and other essentials. They brought them to the parking lot of NextHome South Sound.

“I think it’s been going really well. I think having the bags makes it really easy for people to part and donate. In a year like this, people know that a lot more people are needing help than usual,” Zoe Nelson said.

Donations will go to Nourish Pierce County and Feeding Families DuPont.

“It’s awesome to see how everybody helped out and it’s all going to a good place,” said youth volunteer Hannah Koivisto.

Cox Media Group