Bartell Drugs'  <http://www.bartelldrugs.com/>
tradition of helping to fight hunger in the Puget Sound
area continues with the 2012 launch of "Bartell's
Community Food Drive," a new community partnership with
Food Lifeline. <http://www.foodlifeline.org/>

Scheduled for May 28 to June 10, "Bartell's Community
Food Drive" focuses on replenishing local food banks in
the summer months when families that normally depend on
free or reduced-price school meals may struggle to
provide healthy meals at home.

Some food item suggestions include tuna, instant
oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, cheese
crackers, applesauce and canned fruit. Other suggested
items include baby formula, diapers, baby food (boxes
or plastic tubs only) and personal care items such as
toothpaste, tooth brushes, tissues, shampoo and
conditioner, soap and feminine hygiene products.

Throughout the two-week drive, all 58 Bartell Drugs
locations in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties will
be accepting non-perishable food and other suggested
donation items. Since 2009, Bartell Drugs' leadership
role in summer food drives has generated over 60,000
pounds of food for local food banks.

"For many families, dealing with food hardship is an
ongoing challenge, and the need becomes more acute
during the summer months when children are at home,"
said Bartell Drugs Chairman & CEO George D. Bartell.
"With the support of our customers, we hope to fill a
very important need in the communities we serve."

According to "Map the Meal Gap-Child Food Insecurity
2011,"
<http://foodlifeline.org/hunger/resources/index.html> a
recent study conducted by Feed America, 23% of children
are at risk of hunger in Washington State. Many are
unsure of the source of their next meal.

Seattle-based Bartell Drugs owns and operates 58 stores
throughout King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.
Family-owned since 1890, it is the oldest family-owned
drugstore chain in the United States.
    
For more information on Bartell Drugs, visit
www.bartelldrugs.com