Redmond-based Hopelink, the largest social services agency serving east and north King County has launched its annual “End Summer Hunger” fund and food drives. Presenting sponsor Expedia invites community groups, schools, businesses and individuals to join the effort, now through Aug. 31, to ease hunger and homelessness among local children and families.

The recession has sent an alarming number of families deeper into crisis, or into financial distress for the first time.

Hopelink’s food banks served 22 percent more households in 2009 than in 2008 and the need continues. The proceeds from End Summer Hunger will stock Hopelink’s five food banks for the high-demand summer months when subsidized meal programs at schools are not available and parents need more food to fill their children’s stomachs.

End Summer Hunger donations also support Hopelink’s homelessness prevention programs for families. In 2009, the End Summer Hunger campaign raised more than $160,000 in cash and more than $120,000 in food donations.

Nearly 15 percent (over 14,000) of the children in school districts in Hopelink’s service areas in north and east King County qualify for free or reduced cost breakfasts and lunches during the school year. Even with the help of these at-school meal programs, parents of those children struggle to meet their families’ nutrition and other basic needs.

Schools that support End Summer Hunger encourage children to collect coins, while businesses, organizations and civic or community clubs hold food drives, fund drives or both.

Kenmore Junior High School was the first school to complete an End Summer Hunger drive this year. The school’s ASB (student government), with assistance from school staff and the PTSA, organized a competition that brought in more than 12,000 food items (7,933 pounds) and $11,899 to Hopelink. The agency is looking forward to many more successful drives this season.

Expedia is the presenting sponsor for End Summer Hunger 2010. Additional sponsors include Univar, First Tech Credit Union, Labor Ready, Tecplot, Nintendo of America Inc., Pacific Construction Systems, Signature Landscape Services Inc., Door-to-Door Storage, Concur Technologies, Inc. and BECU.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Kristina Kenck at KKenck@hope-link.org

For information on how to get involved in End Summer Hunger, go to www.hope-link.org.