4th Annual Hancock County Food Drive Underway

Once again this year, schools, businesses, and churches around Hancock County are collecting non-perishable food and financial donations for the annual food drive. Donations will be distributed, through U-Maine's Cooperative Extension, to food pantries around the region.And they need your help!

The folks of Hancock County really have fun with this food drive that's held during the entire month of March. Schools find creative ways to get kids to donate, like one school that has a dinghy in the lobby, with a sign that says something like 'We're collecting a boatload of food!' And there was a church last year that had a friendly competition between the two sides of the center aisle.

In addition, several businesses and organizations, including the United Way, have promised some matching donations. So that means your dollar could be doubled, or that can of food could be worth additional cash!

All the donations will be sorted and distributed through the University of Maine's Cooperative Extension. U-Maine's Marjorie Peronto told us the need is great this time of year because food pantries don't see as many donations as they do around the holidays. And, with so many residents of Hancock County making choices between buying food or paying for things like heating oil or snow removal, the demand increases.

Organizations, whether it's a church group or a business...whatever, can still get involved in collecting for the drive. And folks can donate at over 100 locations throughout Hancock County. For a complete list of locations and more information, log onto the Cooperative Extension's website.