As the holidays roll in, those less fortunate in the community rely more on support from local food banks. To meet the need, the Kingston Food Bank and ShareNet are accepting donations of food, especially items for holiday meals, personal care such as bars of soap, diapers and shampoo, and toys and gifts.

Donations of turkeys, hams, chickens, roasts, pie filling, margarine, eggs, canned milk, stuffing mix, potatoes, yams and cranberry sauce are welcome to fill Thanksgiving boxes that will be distributed by the Kingston Food Bank 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17. Those who’d like a box need to sign up beforehand in person at the food bank. Donations of toys for boys and girls, from infants to pre-teens, are welcome now that will be distributed in December.

Sign-up in person for Thanksgiving baskets from ShareNet beginning Oct. 31 through Nov. 14. Pick-up day is Nov. 20.

Individual families can also be sponsored through food and cash contributions. Donations for Christmas of unwrapped toys for children of all ages are needed for the Toy Shop, as well as new or gently-used clean clothes. Sign-up in person for ShareNet Christmas boxes beginning Nov. 28 through Dec. 12. Boxes will be distributed Dec. 20.

Donations can be dropped off at the food banks (hours listed below) or at donation barrels located conveniently at the local Kingston Thriftway and Albertsons grocery stores and the Kingston Art Gallery.

The Kingston Food Bank is open for donations noon-3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Call the food bank during these hours at (360) 297-4861, Vi Weaver at (360) 297-3277 or Barb Fulton at (360) 297-7100 for more information.

Cash donations can be sent to Kingston Food Bank, c/o Barb Fulton, P.O. Box 323, Kingston, WA 98346.

ShareNet may be reached at (360) 297-2266. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Fridays or call to make an appointment.

Donations may mailed to ShareNet, P.O. Box 250, Kingston, WA 98346.