Needed: The Extra White Meat

The White Center Food Bank, which has seen a massive increase in customers in recent months, is putting out the call for holiday and post-holiday donations. According to the West Seattle Blog: "Last month, the food bank served 1,966 families. For Thanksgiving alone, they served 913 families. (Executive Director Rick) Jump tells us that one of the hardest effects of the economy is watching kids deal with what is happening. 'Kids don't understand unemployment and bad economic times,' he said. 'They have high hopes. Families can't do what they have done in the past this Christmas. This year, they are surviving,' he said."

Peet's Coffee & Tea has stepped up to raise money for victims of the Greenwood arsonist. Peet's stores will match donations. The fundraiser started Thursday and continues through Christmas Eve.

One way to deal with overeating issues during the holidays is to give your misery a little company. To that end, why not give the gift of food? The Times' Nancy Leson recommends these local inconic treats for the foodie in your life. (And no, it's not salmon and Aplets and Cotlets.)