SERVE is holding their second Harvest for Hunger food drive in September for National Hunger Action Month.
Diane Henry, client services lead at SERVE, said the community raised over 13,000 pounds of food and $5,500 in monetary donations last year.
Henry said it was important to "keep shelves full" in their food pantry as the organization serves over 725 families per month. Ten percent of Callaway County residents live under the poverty line, Henry added.
All donations go back to SERVE clients, Henry said.
There will be two "fill the bus" events on Sept. 15 and Sept. 29, with details to be announced.
Henry encourages organizations to challenge each other to get involved in the collection drive.
One of the sites open for donations is the Callaway Electric Cooperative.
Clay Carroll, manager of member services at Callaway Electric Cooperative, said the company usually does a food collection drive in October during their Cooperative Month. This year, it was moved to September to better align with SERVE's campaign.
"We thought it just made more sense that way," Carroll said.
In October 2022, the cooperative collected over 2,800 pounds of food for SERVE. The goal for this year is to "try to get more weight than last year," Carroll said.
Cooperative members and Callabyte subscribers who donate will be entered into a weekly drawing for a $25 bill credit.
Those interested can donate at Callaway Electric Cooperative, 1313 Cooperative Dr. The cooperative is open 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Donations can also be made 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at SERVE, 4901 County Rd. 304.