Clark County’s 40th annual Walk & Knock final count reports more than 250,000 pounds of donations

After a final count of barrel donations, Clark County’s 40th annual Walk & Knock food drive collected more than 250,000 pounds of food and toiletries.

Preliminary numbers from Walk & Knock organizers reported the food drive collected about 210,000 pounds of donations. But in addition to mailing 206,000 donation bags to Clark County households, Walk & Knock sponsored donation barrels around the county through Dec. 13, which brought up the final count.

“I’m very proud of the thousands of people who ignored the weather and made Walk & Knock a big success once again,” President Justin Wood said in a news release. “It’s not easy canvassing door-to-door in the cold wetness, but hunger knows no weather.”

All donations go directly to the Clark County Food Bank.

In 2023, Walk & Knock collected 271,095 pounds of food and toiletries and $20,000 in cash.

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.

“The food is almost secondary. What’s most important is the amount of volunteers,” Wood said in the news release. “The main reason we do Walk & Knock is to engage the community and get kids involved in community service.”