The Niles-Buchanan YMCA’s tradition of helping those in need is continuing with a holiday food drive benefiting The Salvation Army.

YMCA staff began with soliciting community members for donations, asking for a commitment of $10-worth of non-perishable food items.

“It started as a challenge to the community to help those in need,” said Greg Schuman, membership and marketing director. “We wanted to see if that would be a way to.

“We had some staff members who were sitting around talking and realized how lucky we were to have jobs, to be able to provide for our families at this time of year,” he explained. “We know there’s a lot of families who are struggling. We want to help anybody who needs it. We just feel blessed.”

In addition to staff participation and distribution of fliers, the YMCA is now collecting donations at its location at 905 North Front St., Niles. Food can also be dropped off at The Salvation Army, 424 North 15th St., Niles.

Schuman said the YMCA also “adopts” a family each year and conducts a toy drive, in addition to intermittent charitable events throughout the year.

The YMCA plans to deliver the donated goods to The Salvation Army Friday.