By: John Butterfield Our club had a successful food drive to support area families and food pantries in November, so we’re doing it again on Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to noon. The community service committee is organizing the drive.
Project Chairperson Jerry Katz encourages members to ask their friends, neighbors and business associates to join them in participating in the drive. Members, who wish to volunteer at the collection sites, should contact Andrew Saneholtz, volunteer coordinator, at apsaneholtz@yahoo.com, cell: 419-494-6791 by Friday, March 12.
The drive will be held at three locations in the Worthington area: Highline Coffee Co., 693 High St.; Fresh Thyme, 933 High St.; and The Hills Market Worthington, 7860 Olentangy River Rd.
The Dublin drive sites are: Kroger Fresh Fare, 299 W. Bridge St. and Oakland Nursery-Dublin Garden Center, 4261 W. Dublin-Granville Rd.
While donations of all non-perishable food and personal care itemsare welcome, most needed now at both pantries are canned soup, cereal, oatmeal, rice, pasta and canned tuna fish. Personal care items most needed are soap, toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo.
Other needs at the Dublin Pantry are: salad dressing, regular-sized boxes of pancake mix, Individual toothbrushes, laundry detergent, razors, shaving cream and hair conditioner.
Following the drive, the donated items will be delivered to the Worthington Resource Pantry and Dublin Food Pantry. Service numbers at both pantries have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis because so many people have lost their jobs and are struggling to support their families.
Other club members taking a leadership role in the drive are: Harry Pukay-Martin, collection sites, and John Butterfield, promotion. Christie Bruffy’s business, Highline Coffee Co., is a drive site.
Community members and Rotarians donated nearly a ton of food and personal-care items and approximately $1,000 last November. “The fall drive’s success shows that club members and area families care about their neighbors,” Jerry said. “We know that helping others builds a stronger community.”
