Start stocking up on non-perishable food goods to donate and help your city because the King of the River Food Drive is just around the corner. The annual event put on by the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank pits the cities of Kenai and Soldotna against one another to see which community can bring in more food donations.
2024 marks the second time the King of the River will allow the two cities to square off against one another, but it’s all in a spirit of camaraderie, says KP Food Bank Executive Director Greg Meyer. “It’s friendly fun, we always say, friendly competition.”
Last year, Soldotna won by bringing in 20,964.05 pounds, beating Kenai’s total of 16,820.95. Competition aside, the food bank celebrated the real victory, which was the combined 37,785 pounds of food for those suffering from hunger across the Kenai Peninsula.
According to Meyer, the contest began in 2023 and is a joint project between the food bank and the Kenai Boys and Girls Club. “This was the brainchild of Jeff Dolifka and working with the Boys and Girls Club. So, it’s kind of been a collaborative effort.”
This year, the contest begins at the 4th of July parade and extends through the 11th. Donations include non-perishable food and monetary donations to the food bank.
Food was donated at drop-off points spread across the two communities in the first annual contest, but Meyer says that will change this year. “The one thing we’re doing a little different this year is the drop-off sites are going to be the two chamber offices and the food bank…Last year, we did something out on the road, you know, [we] had the truck out in the community and different spots, and [this year] we decided it was more effective to center it around the two chamber buildings and at the food bank.”
The drive culminates on July 12th at Coral Seymour Park, where the winner will be crowned, and the mayor of the winning city will throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the Peninsula Oilers’ game against the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks.
Not only do participants have an opportunity to give back to their community, but anyone who donates will be entered to win $1,000. The winner will be drawn at the Oilers game on July 12.
Visit the event page on the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank website for information on the King of the River contest and how to become a sponsor.
