The largest social services agency serving east and north King County, Hopelink launched its annual “End Summer Hunger” fund and food drive earlier this month.

Presenting sponsor Expedia invites community groups, schools, businesses and our neighbors throughout the area to join in now through August and help ease hunger and homelessness among our communities’ children and families.

According to Hopelink, families made 23 percent more visits to the organization’s food banks between September and December 2008 than during the same period in 2007. Considering the rapidly growing number of families in financial distress due to the economy, Hopelink officials say they are placing more importance than ever on the annual summer campaign. The proceeds from End Summer Hunger will stock Hopelink’s six food banks for the high-demand summer months when subsidized meal programs at schools are not available and parents need more help to fill their children’s stomachs. Nearly 14 percent of the children in school districts in Hopelink’s service areas receive free or reduced cost breakfasts and lunches during the school year.

In 2008, the End Summer Hunger campaign raised more than $119,000 in monetary and food donations.

“End Summer Hunger is an important tool for feeding the 11,000 children in north and east King County who otherwise may well go hungry during the summer,” said Marilyn Mason-Plunkett, President and CEO of Hopelink.

Hopelink’s summer campaign ends Aug. 31 and seeks help from schools, individuals, businesses and organizations. For more information, go to wwww.hope-link.org or Hopelink’s Web site for young philanthropists, http://youthlink.hope-link.org/.