Project: Feed Our Valley Kicks off - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGSTOWN,Ohio - The 7th annual Project: Feed Our Valley campaign is underway and 21 WFMJ is once again asking you to help feed hungry people in the Mahoning Valley. The campaign runs from November 4 to December 14 and it's a chance to help your less fortunate neighbors.

Each year 21 WFMJ teams up with the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley to raise money and donations of food for the food bank. All donations stay right here in the Mahoning Valley. Viewers are asked to drop off donations of non-perishable food items at any of the local Ohio Sparkle Markets.

21 News Director Mona Alexander said the Sparkle stores are a key partner in the project.

"It makes it so easy to just stop by a Sparkle store, pick up a few items and just drop them in the Project: Feed Our Valley box that is in each of the Sparkle stores" Alexander said. She also added the station will pick up the food items and deliver them to the food bank for distribution to the more than 150 area pantries. The food bank distributes more than 40,000 pounds of food each day, that's 9 million pounds of food each year.

Appearing Monday Morning on WFMJ Today, the food bank's Executive Director, Mike Iberis, said more than 15,000 people in the area are showing up each week at either a food pantry or soup kitchen looking for help. "That tells you the kid of dire straights many people are in" Iberis added.

In addition to food items the food bank is also looking for donations of money. No amount is too small since for every dollar donated, the food bank can leverage it into $15.00 worth of food for hungry families using their buying power.

All this month, 21 News will also report on the impact of the hunger program in the area. Food bank officials have said the reporting has helped raised awareness that the problem continues to exist in the area.

So far the campaign has raised more than $346,000 and more than 403,000 pounds of food.

If you'd like to donate, below is a list of "most needed" items and a link to the Second Harvest Food Bank web site.

MOST NEEDED ITEMS

Peanut Butter

Canned vegetables

Tuna fish

Cereal

Dry Pasta

HOLIDAY ITEMS

Stuffing

Instant mashed potatoes

canned yams

KID-FRIENDLY FOOD

Microwaveable meals

Easy Mac

Fruit cups

Granola bars

Cereal Bowls

To make a financial contribution send a check to:

Second Harvest Food Bank

2805 Salt Springs Road

Youngstown, Ohio 44509

or online at: www.mahoningvalleysecondharvest.org

For information on holding a food drive or to have a collection box dropped off at your company, school or place of worship call the food bank at 330-792-5522.

THANKS FOR MAKING PROJECT: FEED OUR VALLEY A SUCCESS!