Story Published: Feb 2, 2012 at 8:01 PM PDT
Story Updated: Feb 7, 2012 at 2:47 PM PDT
Supplies are significantly low and especially critical for local food banks this time of year. Just 300 pounds of food have been raised in Lewiston for the annual "Dump Hunger" fundraiser.
"It's going really slow, of course it always goes slow the first couple of weeks, but the weather didn't help this year," said North Central Idaho Foodbank Manager Chuck Whitman. "We are way behind from where we were last year, but I know we are going to catch up."
Last year the city raised more than 42,000 pounds of food for the cause.
"The next event will be at Albertson's in Lewiston, this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.," said Whitman. "People can donate food there or they can go out to Kendall Chevrolet and Subaru and there are barrels out there they can donate to."
Dump Hunger has partnered with Western States, Albertson's and Wells Fargo to set the most aggressive goal in its history. That is, 300,000 pounds of food for local food banks to support local communities throughout the Intermountain West.
"This is a very important food drive to us."said Whitman.
Peas, noodles and potatoes are housed in the bulk area of the food bank. Each bin holds about 1,000 pounds of food which takes about two and half hours for people to pack.
"We're seeing more and more people coming into the system needing food assistance and that is what we are here for," said Whitman. "I encourage everyone to donate food to your local food banks cause it is truly needed."
