The annual Father Fred Frostbite Food drive gets underway Saturday, Jan. 27. This is the 24th year for the food drive, which stocks the foundation’s food pantry. It serves an average of 71 local families each day. One in four families in the community feels the stress of food insecurity (daily meals are uncertain). Last year, there were over 14,000 requests for assistance, with 3,763 families using the food pantry. Total estimated value of the products distributed was $638,881.

This year’s goal is collect 900 boxes of food, enough to fill a semi truck. The best items to donate are flexible and hearty foodstuffs, including canned tuna, soups, dried beans, rice, pasta and pasta sauce, canned chicken, peanut butter, and canned fruits packed in juice. Drop-off locations are Team Bob’s at South Airport Road and Park Street, across from Art Van, and Fox Motors. Tom’s East Bay, Family Fare Chums Corner, and Oleson’s on Hammond will also accept donations.

Cash donations are also needed to help purchase perishable items such as milk, meat and eggs. Persons may donate online at www.fatherfred.org or at one of the donation sites.