Two rival self-storage facility managers in Bainbridge Island, Wash., have created a friendly competition to bring in food donations for a local charity. Curt Bonderant, manager of Reliable Storage, and Janice Danielson, manager of Bainbridge Self Storage, are attempting to outdo one another in a food drive to benefit Helpline House, which provides a number of community services.

Danielson decided to up the ante on her facilitys annual food drive by challenging Bonderant to beat her donation number. The facilities will collect food donations through March 9. The self-storage manager who collects the least number of items will be required to add two extra bags of groceries and wash the competitors car. 

Helpline House provides food to about 250 families each week. While food donations have been low, the need has grown, Marilyn Gremse, food-bank manager, told the source. We continue to be surprised at the demand for services at the food bank, it continues to go up.

In January, Helpline House fed 1,231 households, its largest number of recipients to date. In addition to providing food to local families, Helpline House also offers a clothing bank, counseling and emergency housing.

Donations can be made during office hours at Reliable Storage, 9551 New Brooklyn Road; Bainbridge Self Storage, 9300 Sportsman Club Road; or the Helpline House, 282 Knechtel Way N.E., Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sources: