The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank is hosting one last fundraiser in 2022 — called Bark, Block n’ Bowl — on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.

To be held at the food bank, the event will feature an opportunity to take pictures with Santa. While most Santa photo ops are for the kids, this one is for the furry friends.

Food bank Administrative Assistant Claire Jones said that they’ve partnered with Peninsula Dog Obedience Group to let people bring in their pets for Christmas photos.

“Primarily dogs,” Jones said. “But we did have somebody call about a cat already.”

That’s the “bark.” “Block” is a reference to Lego blocks.

The personal Lego collection of Executive Director Greg Meyer will be auctioned off on Saturday. There will be a variety of Lego Creations on offer, which can be viewed ahead of time on the food bank’s Facebook page. There will be a Nintendo Entertainment System, a Fender Stratocaster, a globe of the Earth and more. Each will come constructed, but with instructions.

Jones, who said Meyer has accumulated the collection over time, said what was a fun way to wind down after a long day is now an asset to the food bank for continued fundraising efforts.

Bids will be placed in a silent auction and the food bank will call the winners. Each set can also just be purchased at value.

Finally, soup bowls will be available, all made by local craftspeople from the Kenai Pottery Guild. The bowls were made for the soup dinner fundraiser earlier this year, and each can be taken home for a donation of $25.

“It’s our last fundraiser, trying to use some of what we have in order to come up with a little bit of extra funds to help us get through to the new year,” Jones said.

Bark, Block n’ Bowl is being held now to preempt the customary drop in donations after the holiday season, she explained. The food bank hopes that it will put them in a good position for January in order to hit 2023 running.

The food bank has been faced with greater than average need this year as a result of inflation and high gas prices, which have called for several unique fundraisers this year, such as those specifically for gas money or for holiday turkeys.

To donate, or for more information about the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, visit kpfoodbank.org or call 907-262-3111.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.