Holiday food drive closes in on goal

As this season’s Feed the Hungry food drive enters the home stretch, organizers are kicking their efforts into full gear in order to reach their donation goal for the year.

With only a few days left to go in the annual program, volunteers have raised around $13,000 from local businesses and residents. While well on pace to match the $15,000 worth of donations raised last December, they are just under three-quarters of this year’s goal of $20,000, according to organizer Jim Allen.

“We set our goal very high this year, but we need a rally,” Allen said.

As in prior years, Allen has been visiting businesses around the Dowagiac area asking for contributions. Organizations that donate to the program get their logo stickered on one of the two Feed the Hungry vehicles, which have spent the last few weeks parked throughout the city to help raise awareness for the Christmas-season collect-a-thon.

“Most of the donors this year have upped their ante, upping the dollar amount they have given us in the past,” Allen said.

Collections from volunteers stationed at supermarkets like Harding’s and Family Fare have been adding to this year’s pot as well, with more than $1,000 raised just over the weekend at stores in Dowagiac and Cassopolis, Allen said.

Started five years ago by the staff at C. Wimberley Automotive, the annual food drive collects local donations beginning every Thanksgiving through Christmas, with the funds going toward nonperishable foodstuff for local church food pantries.

As with last year’s drive, a portion of the money will go to Dowagiac’s ACTION Ministry Networks, which in turn uses it for a Feeding America grant that allows them to bring in even more food for the community.

“Because our goal is higher, we get matching grant money, so we need to go for the gusto,” Allen said.

As in prior years, all the money collected will be spent exclusively on food, for pantries here in the region.

“We’re not helping people in another country or state, we’re helping our own,” Allen said. “Pretty much all the money stays right in Cass County.”

While 10 new businesses have come aboard this year, everyone in the community is asked to contribute, even if it’s just a single dollar, Allen said.

“Right now, the rally is on, and we’re going for the gold,” he said. “We want your help, to help us reach our goal.”

People interested in donating can call Allen at 269-779-1691, or by leaving a donation at C. Wimberley Ford Dealership on M-51 or the Dowagiac 1st Source Bank, located on Front Street.