SEATTLE — The 24th annual Home Team Harvest, Washington state’s largest annual food drive, surpassed its goal of raising 24 million meals in 2024. All funds and donations went to Northwest Harvest, a nonprofit that distributes food to every county in Washington, working with a statewide network of 400 food banks, meal programs, and schools.
From October through December, KING 5 and Northwest Harvest partnered with Safeway, Albertsons, Providence Swedish, Kitsap Credit Union, the Seattle Seahawks, and WARM 106.9 to collect monetary and nonperishable donations for the state’s largest annual food drive.
"Home Team Harvest continues to make a profound difference in addressing food insecurity across Washington," said KING 5 president and general manager Christy Moreno. "Our incredible partners, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors have demonstrated the power of community compassion, helping us to support Northwest Harvest and families in need."
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 1 in 12 households in Washington state experience food insecurity. The highest rates are found among households with children, as well as those led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and individuals who identify as transgender, nonbinary, or other gender identities.
“Partnerships formed through shared commitment and connection to community can be transformative, and that’s what KING 5 and Northwest Harvest have crafted to reduce hunger across Western Washington,” said Northwest Harvest CEO Thomas Reynolds. “This year we are distributing more than 24 million meals, and every single one matters a great deal to the folks who experience food insecurity.”
To support those in need, the campaign gathered monetary donations online, Safeway collected donations that went to grocery cards, and nonperishable food donations were accepted at Northwest Harvest locations. Additionally, a donation drive at the Seattle Seahawks home game on Nov. 24, 2024, coincided with a KING 5 broadcast special.
Home Team Harvest was born out of the emotional and economic trauma that followed 9/11. Twenty-four years later, it is our state’s largest food drive, supporting Northwest Harvest in its mission to end hunger and address the root causes of poverty in Washington.
In its lifetime, Home Team Harvest has raised more than 144 million meals for Washington families.
This campaign ran over the course of two months, ending on Dec. 31, and included a food and funds drive on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Why your donations matter
According to the USDA, an estimated 9.5% of households face food insecurity in Washington state. Households with children; Black, Indigenous and people of color households; and households who identify as transgender, non-binary, or other reach the highest levels of food insecurity.
Every donation provides nutritious food to children, seniors, veterans, and families throughout Washington and ensures Northwest Harvest can work with partners in our community to address systemic root causes of hunger.
Northwest Harvest recognizes that it takes more than food to end hunger. By addressing the root causes of poverty AND getting food where it is most needed, they are working to end food insecurity in our state and create a more equitable food system for all Washingtonians.
Watch the broadcast special
On Sunday, Nov. 24, KING 5 aired a one-hour broadcast special to show how your support for Home Team Harvest helps change lives in our community.