1,700 lbs of food collected at local food drive

A Wednesday food drive at Elmer’s County Market in Delta County collected approximately 1,700 lbs. worth of non-perishable food items and hygiene products.  The items have been equitably distributed to The Salvation Army of Escanaba and St. Vincent de Paul of Escanaba and Gladstone.

“The Escanaba Department of Public Safety would like to thank the public for the immense support,” officials said Thursday. “It’s because of the generosity and compassionate nature of the people of this community that make Delta County a great place to live and work.”

The Canine Unit form Delta County Sheriff’s Department also also assisted at the food drive.

Aside from assisting the local food pantries, the purpose of the food drive was to raise awareness for the need to fight food poverty in the local community. According to  Statistically speaking, donations to food pantries decline in the summer months. Additionally, many children who are on a free or reduced lunch schedule stop receiving school lunch during school’s summer recces.

Many parents struggle feeding their children three meals a day while their child is out of of school. Public Safety officials said, “Struggling families will often turn to the food pantries in the summer months, and we’re trying to do our part to help them meet the spike in demand.”

Green Bay Packers Offensive Guard / Tackle Don Barclay was on-site signing autographs in support of the cause. Cost of an autograph was a donation of a non-perishable food item or a goodwill cash donation. Fans brought their own item to be signed and autographed items were available for purchase.

Suggested Donation items included:

Canned Items: Fruits, vegetables, meat and soup. Whole grain pasta, brown rice, dried beans and cereal. Peanut Butter. Infant formula, cereal, diapers, and wipes. Kid’s fruit cups, juice boxes, granola bars, crackers, popcorn and sugar-free pudding cups. Non-food essentials: Hygiene Items, household items, and paper products.