By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
The second annual food drive for Wheels of H.O.P.E. is scheduled May 3rd and 4th at the two Walmart outlets and Dillons in Junction City.
The goal is to fill their food pantry so efforts can continue to serve the 80-85 families that Wheels of H.O.P.E serve each month. The organization distributes almost 6,000 food items each month, which reflects food for 3-5 days.
Board member Shelly Kite says the drive will run 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. “The purpose of the food drive is to collect food donations for our mission which is to feed chronically hungry children and families in Geary County, in USD 475 particularly.” Wheels of H.O.P.E. serves families once per month in a food distribution. They are a mobile food pantry.
Kite said, “The donations from the community last year received extremely good support. In fact year we collected 11,898 items from the Geary County – Junction City community.”
Board member Molly Schuckman said several organizations provide volunteer assistance ranging from the Girl Scout Troop 1641 and 4-H Clubs and Ambassadors to Kappa Epsilon, the Spring Valley Elementary School student council. and the Junction City High School Kay Club.
Kite stated they began because those members who were in the school district became aware there were many “chronically hungry children, or families that did not have access to healthy food. Kids didn’t get a lot to eat over the weekends, and especially during the summer which is another reason why this food drive is so critical here in May.”
Community members are invited to donate food at any of the three sites on May 3rd and 4th.
The seven banks in Junction City – Fort Riley are participating in a friendly competition to collect the most food during the week of April 29th and May 3rd. Employees and customers are invited to donate during that week. The banks are Intrust Bank, Exchange Bank. Central National Bank. KS State Bank. Sunflower Bank, Armed Forces Bank in Junction City and Fort Riley, and Landmark Bank.
Mowry Custer Realtors and Ft. Riley Area Rentals are also collecting food Monday – Friday at 522 North Eisenhower from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to work at the sites. You can sign up at Wheels of HOPE Junction City Facebook page, Community Wide Food Drive.
