SALISBURY — More than 300 youth are expected to canvass county neighborhoods in October to collect food for the food pantry at Rowan Helping Ministries.

Youth groups are still being recruited to participate in the food drive, which is the largest of the year for Rowan Helping Ministries. Last year’s event collected nearly 25,000 pounds of nonperishable food to help feed families in Rowan County who often don’t have enough to eat.

Church youth groups, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, school organizations and other youth groups are invited to participate to help their neighbors in need. Last year, nearly 40 teams participated and competed for the “Heavyweight Trophy,” which was won by the youth group at Christiana Lutheran Church.

On Oct. 16, youth groups will begin distributing grocery bags to large neighborhoods in the county. Instructions and pickup information will be attached to food collection bags.

They will return to the neighborhoods to pick up bags by Oct. 23. Teams will gather at Rowan Helping Ministries on that day to weigh and turn in their food and enjoy a pizza party.

Rowan Helping Ministries’ Food Pantry distributed nearly 696,000 pounds of food last year to those in need. The food pantry serves about 50 families each day. The number of clients asking for food during the holidays is even greater.

“We want to reiterate that a lot of clients seeking help from Rowan Helping Ministries are those who work but are struggling to provide for their families,” said Kyna Grubb, executive director of Rowan Helping Ministries. “Especially in cold weather, they are having to make tough choices about which bills to pay and how to afford groceries.”

For more information about the event and how to participate or donate food, call Rowan Helping Ministries at 704-637- 6838, ext. 112 or 117.