St. Mary to host October food drive

By Anthony Collins,

LPR Editor                                                

     St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Lockhart will host a community food drive Saturday, Oct. 17, to help stock local pantry shelves and provide assistance to families in need.

     The drive will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the church parking lot at 205 W. Pecan St. Donations will benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, with the effort sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.     

     Organizers are asking residents to contribute nonperishable, shelf-stable food items that can be distributed to people in the community who may need a little extra help putting meals on the table.

     Suggested donations include canned foods, meat, soup and fruit, along with beans, rice, pasta, noodles and pasta sauce. Other useful items include cooking oil, instant mashed potatoes, ramen, powdered milk, peanut butter, jelly, gelatin mix, oatmeal, cereal, pancake mix, syrup, crackers and granola bars. Organizers said donations do not have to be limited to the suggested list, as long as the items are nonperishable and shelf-stable.

   Food drives such as this one help local assistance organizations keep pantry shelves supplied with everyday staples that can be used to build complete meals. Items such as canned vegetables, protein, rice, pasta, and cereal are especially useful because they can be stored for extended periods and easily distributed to families.

    Residents who would like to participate can bring donations directly to the St. Mary of the Visitation parking lot during the four-hour collection period. The goal is simple: fill the pantry and help make sure local families have food available when they need it.

    The food drive is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church, 205 W. Pecan St. in Lockhart.