However, area residents and schools have stepped up to raise more than 19,000 pounds of food to date, according to Randy Bowman, who is overseeing the effort at Lowes Foods in Mount Airy.
“That’s not too bad,” he said of the numbers. “It’s actually going very good. It’s not what it’s been in the past. It picked up around Thanksgiving and towards Christmas it will get even better.”
The campaign will last through December 31, but the schools participating will end their campaign around Dec. 18, just before students are released for the holidays. Bowman has picked up the goods from one school and plans to pick up goods from another next week so he is unsure of the exact amounts collected.
He said that B.H. Tharrington Primary has raised around 2,300 pounds and is still worked. He also said that Dobson Elementary’s campaign ended Friday but he did not have a total weight available. Bowman also noted that White Plains Elementary is doing well and has requested more boxes from him.
In addition to the food coming to the campaign through canned food drives at the schools, the grocery store is also selling paper bags filled with nonperishable food items. Customers can pick up a $5, $6 or $7 bag to purchase with the rest of their groceries. The store then collects the bag and donates it with the rest of the goods.
All of the collected food will be distributed to Yokefellow Ministries, Foothills Food Pantry and the Salvation Army.
Bowman also said that in the past, some farmers have committed to donating items such as potatoes. If there is any interest in doing that, Bowman said to contact him at Lowes Foods and he will help to make the arrangements.
Students from area schools helped with the kick-off on Nov. 4 by gathering at the store to check out and bag items to donate to the cause. Since that night, groups including a troop of Girl Scouts and members of North Surry High School’s Key Club have helped bag items at the store.
Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.
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