"Gloucester County Cares About Hunger" food drive is held in late February, during a time when food pantry supplies are dwindling.
Food drives usually happen around the holidays, meaning food pantries are loaded around November and December.
As we get to February, however, those stockpiles dwindle.
The 11th annual "Gloucester County Cares About Hunger" food drive will be held Feb. 22-28.
During that time, organizations, businesses and schools are asked to sponsor food collections, encouraging employees, customers and students to get involved.
Once food is collected, it can be dropped off at the United Way of Gloucester County's office, 454 Crown Point Road, Thorofare, on Monday, Feb. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Individuals who wish to make donations of food and money are asked to do so on the 29th from 10 a.m. to noon at the same location.
The United Way, the county Human Services Advisory Council and the People for People Foundation collaborate on the campaign.
Ideally, United Way Executive Director Michael Gower would like to see 100 groups partnering in the program. That number currently stands at 40 for this year.
"We're down a couple of past participants that have always done collection sites," Gower explained.
Over the last 10 years, the drive has collected more than 132,507 pounds of food. Last year, more than 72 organizations participated. The collected food is distributed through three dozen food subsidy programs serving Gloucester County residents.
Employers, social groups, schools, retail stores, etc. interested in participating are asked to contact Donna Fanticola, at the United Way of Gloucester County, 856-845-4303, ext. 13.
Some of the food items sought include: canned tuna, chicken, corned beef, ham and salmon; whole grain breakfast cereals, oatmeal, granola bars, pancake mix; peanut butter, canned or dry beans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, almonds; canned vegetables, fruits, soups, stews, chili, fruit cups, applesauce, dried fruit; canned 100 percent fruit juices, canned and shelf-stable dairy products; rice, pastas, macaroni & cheese dinners. Items should not be in glass containers.
Donations of canned pet food will also be accepted. Nearly 300 pounds of pet food was donated and distributed locally last year.
Cash donations are welcome, Gower added.
"Our colleagues at the Food Bank of South Jersey tell us that, while they are grateful for the donations of non-perishable food, they can also multiply the value of cash donations in securing food supplies for local food pantries because of purchasing the exact items needed to provide balanced, nutritional supplies to families in need," he said.
In consulting with the Food Bank, organizers of the Gloucester County effort learned about the vital need pantries face after the holiday season has ended.
"That's when the pantries are actually pretty bare," Gower said. "They actually need more food this time of year to restock to meet the demand."
The challenge now is to remind people that the need continues long after the holidays are history.
"We're trying to find a way to continue that giving spirit," Gower said, "and keep people thinking about giving and thinking about people less fortunate."
For more information about the drive, visit the United Way website at uwgcnj.org or email Fanticola at donnafanticola@uwgcnj.org.
Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.