The Kenai Peninsula Food Bank’s last fundraiser of 2022, Bark, Block and Bowl, was held Saturday.

The fundraiser sought to offset a post-holiday fall off in donations by raising money for the start of next year, Administrative Assistant Claire Jones said last week.

During the fundraiser, pets had their pictures taken with Santa, the food bank held an auction for Lego sets and sold ceramic soup bowls.

A space was set up for the photos with Santa, who worked hard to get the animals to look photogenic even as they tried to leap from his lap. Pictures with Santa were a collaboration between the food bank and Kenai Peninsula Dog Obedience Group, which provided bags of treats to the furry friends that encountered the big man in red.

At a long table in the food bank’s dining area, kids perused Lego sets, which had been assembled by food bank Executive Director Greg Meyer. Particular attention was being paid to the large “Home Alone” house, the Fender Stratocaster, and the Nintendo Entertainment System, which comes with a small TV depicting a scene from the original Super Mario Bros.

Meyer was there showing off the sets to the potential buyers. He described to two boys the unique placement of the engine authentically recreated in the Lego Porsche 911. Each of the sets were available for auction, or they could be purchased for a set price.

On an adjacent table, many dozens of ceramic bowls were available for purchase via a $25 donation. These were made by the Kenai Potters Guild for another fundraiser earlier in the year. Though easily over one hundred bowls were on offer, no two were alike, with a vast variety of sizes, colors, finishes and styles represented.

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

Countless ceramic soup bowls are seen, awaiting buyers during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

An attendee checks out the ceramic soup bowls during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Greg Meyer speaks to a potential buyer of the Lego sets he built as they are put on auction during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Greg Meyer shows off the Lego sets he built as they are put on auction during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Blue sits for a photo with Santa during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Blue sniffs the soup bowls during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Blue peruses the Lego sets being auctioned off with his owner during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rowdy sits calmly with Santa Claus and his owner during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Buddy prepares to leap from Santa Claus’ lap during Bark, Block and Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)