Neighbors in Need Food Drive kicks off

Despite what may seem to be an improving economy, a lot of local families must still rely on local food pantries to put food on their table.

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana say the 96 pantries it serves across the area that give food to the hungry saw a 100 percent increase in demand in 2011 from 2010.

So WSBT and the South Bend Tribune is once again teaming up with Martin’s Supermarkets and the Food Bank of Northern Indiana for our Neighbors in Need food and money drive.

And new this year, local colleges and universities will also be a part of the effort.

"The whole idea is to attack this thing all together at one time so we can make a greater impact,” said Milt Lee, executive director of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.

Ivy Tech Chancellor Dr. Thomas Coley also extended what he called a friendly challenge to the other participating schools to see who can collect the most food and money.

“We know we can make a difference,” he said.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the results of this effort. The collaboration of what’s occurring here is just fantastic … the difference when all of us come together and strive for one common goal, the outcomes are significant,” said Tim Sexton, a spokesperson for Notre Dame.

The Neighbors in Need Food and Funds Drive began in February 2009 as a result of the economic downtown throughout northern Indiana.

Last year, Neighbors in Need partners collected 6,106 pounds of non-perishable food and $11,943.00 in cash.  The Food Bank of Northern Indiana said those donations provided the equivalent of up to 89,707 meals for the hungry in the communities it serves.

The goal for this year: to collect 50,000 pounds of non-perishable food items and $18,000.

Who’s participating and how you can help:

From December 16, 2011 - January 16, Ivy Tech Community College (South Bend, Elkhart and Warsaw campuses) will conduct the MLK Day of Service - A Day On Not a Day Off food drive.  At all three campuses, a community food drop will take place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 16, from 9 a.m. - noon.

Holy Cross Harvest will be conducted on the campuses of Holy Cross College, Saint Mary's College and the University of Notre Dame from January 23 - February 14.   This group conducted the first Holy Cross Harvest in the fall of 2010 and collected more than 6,600 pounds of non-perishables and $2,700.00 in monetary donations.  Community food drop locations will be available at the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore and the Hammes Bookstore and Romy's Café at Eddy Street Commons during the Holy Cross Harvest collection.

Bethel College will conduct a Neighbors in Need food drive from February 1 - 19.  In addition, a Praise and Pancakes event will take place on February 19.  Students, faculty and administrators will go to local homeless shelters, make breakfast and hold a worship service.  Throughout the month, Bethel students will be asked to bring in food items for the Food Bank.  Community food drop locations will be available in the Dining Commons, Huffman Administration Building (second floor) and the Academic Center (first floor).

The Student Alumni Association along with The House of Privilege at Indiana University South Bend will hold a campus-wide food drive from February 27 - March 9.  The community can bring food donations to the Alumni Office located in the Administration Building at 1700 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend.

The community can also make monetary donations by visiting the Food Bank's website at www.feedindiana.org and looking for the 2012 Neighbors in Need Page.  There, viewers will be able to show their school spirit and make a monetary donation on behalf of the participating colleges and universities.

The 2012 Neighbors in Need Food and Funds Drive will also include a drop-off day on Monday, February 20 at the WSBT Stations, 1301 E. Douglas Road, Mishawaka, from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.  Food Bank representatives, media personalities and community members will be on hand to collect non-perishable and monetary donations.

Throughout the drive, orange Food Bank collection barrels will be located at the entrances of area Martin's Super Market locations for non-perishable food donations.

Most needed non-perishable food items for the Food Bank: