More than 300 families and individuals will be helped by the North Kitsap Bellringer Fund in 2011, co-chairman John Macdonald said.

More than 150 individuals or organizations donated $27,000 to the fund, which is used to meet human needs in North Kitsap. Fishline, Sharenet and St. Vincent de Paul screen requests and use the fund to help people pay rent and utilities, or get car repairs so they can go to work. In addition, the fund pays for Christmas food baskets, Macdonald said.

Macdonald and co-chairman Dennis Tesch had hoped to raise $35,000 based on the record-breaking 2009-10 campaign, when the fund raised $39,000 — one anonymous donor gave a check for $10,000.

As of Jan. 7, the 2010-11 campaign had raised just over $25,500, but Mike’s Carwash & Detail donated $1,500 to push the grand total to just over $27,000. As in years past, Mike Brooks and his wife, Jeanne Benson, have donated a portion of their carwash and detail proceeds to the fund.

The Bellringer Fund has been helping North Kitsap individuals and families since the mid-1940s. Donations to the fund may be made at any time during the year. The mailing address is North Kitsap Bellringer Fund, P.O. Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370. Families in need can contact the fund at the address above or by calling 697-6087.