‘Hunger insecurity is a real, but largely invisible problem’: Walk & Knock food drive will pick up donations Dec. 7

Walk & Knock, the nation’s largest one-day food drive, is preparing to collect donations in Clark County for the 40th year.

This year, 206,000 bags will be mailed to homes across Clark County starting after Thanksgiving, making it easy for families to donate. Beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 7, volunteers will go door-to-door to collect nonperishable foods and toiletries. All donations will be given to the Clark County Food Bank.

“Hunger insecurity is a real, but largely invisible problem,” Walk & Knock President Justin Wood said. “One in four here needs our help. Every pound of food collected and dollar donated goes to the Clark County Food Bank for distribution to food pantries throughout the county.”

Community members can also bring nonperishable food donations to participating Clark County Riverview Bank branches, Les Schwab Tire Centers or McDonald’s locations beginning Dec. 3 Participating locations — listed at walkandknock.org/barrel-locations — will take donations through Dec. 13.

Last year, Walk & Knock collected 271,095 pounds of food and toiletries and $20,000 in cash.

Former Walk & Knock President Tom Knappenberger said volunteers are still needed to help with collection.

While donations have returned to pre-COVID levels, the number of volunteers working on the day of the food drive has dropped from about 4,000 to 2,000.

Vancouver Lions Club members Bud Pasmore and Doug Rae started Walk & Knock in 1982 with help from the Hazel Dell and Orchards/Evergreen Lions clubs. Since it began, Walk & Knock has collected between 150,000 and 300,000 pounds of food annually.

The annual food drive has brought in more than 9.5 million pounds of food valued at $17.3 million, according to a news release from the organization.

“I just think it’s so basic for people to have food,” Knappenberger said. “Walk & Knock is local, it’s homegrown and it’s grown into the largest in the country. We should be proud of that here in Vancouver.”