For fourth time in as many years, the C. Wimberley Automotive Group is kicking off its “Feed the Hungry” donation drive, collecting money from area businesses and residents to help feed families across Cass County.

In previous years, the money collected from the program would be used to purchase goods from the local food bank to distribute to around 1,000 area families, at 25 cents on the dollar, said Jim Allen, the main organizer of the program.

This year though, the group expects to greatly increase the amount of food it will be able to hand out, thanks to a grant given to ACTION church network. The Feed the Hungry Program will give the money they collect to ACTION, who will spend it on a food at a rate of 5 cents per pound.

“A $100 donation will be able to buy 2,000 pounds of food,” said Chuck Wimberley, the head of the automotive group.

This year, the group has set a goal of raising $15,000 for the drive, which began this week and will run until Christmas. If the group manages to reach this number, it will be able to donate 300,000 pounds worth of canned vegetables, soups and other essential food staples to Cass County residents.

In order to help promote the drive, the Wimberley Group has once again entered a pair of vehicles in the annual Dowagaic Candle-light Christmas Parade, which takes place Friday evening. The vehicles will sport the logos of local businesses that contributed money, made free of charge by Creative Vinyl.

“Businesses will get some additional advertisement, and a warm fuzzy feeling for helping out,” Wimberley said.

Even after the parade, the dealership will continue to display the vehicles around the community, Allen said. He will continue to drive one vehicle around the community, while another will be parked at businesses around the city, including 1st Source Bank and Honor Credit Union.

“Last year, I would leave the car parked outside a business, and when I came back, I would find that money left inside,” Allen said.

Allen, who has worked for Wimberley for 31 years, has spent the last several weeks drumming up support for the donations. The group has always seen a strong response from Dowagiac businesses he visits, Allen said.

“It’s fun, it’s a lot of fun,” he said.

The auto dealer, which has served the community for the past 23 years with two locations, first organized the drive in 2010, after employee Dale Dandurand came up the idea. Since then, the project has quadrupled in its scope, Wimberley said.

“It’s not just us. It’s a community effort,” Wimberley said. “They have rallied around, and it’s really, really grown. Everyone in the community sees the benefits, since we’re focused on Cass County.”

Companies and individuals looking to donate to the campaign can contact Allen at 269-779-1691.