Rowan Helping Ministries

SALISBURY — Rowan Helping Ministries has set its goals high as it aims to increase participation in its annual food drive, “Trick or Treat So Others May Eat,” which kicks off Oct. 14.

Church youth groups, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and other youth organizations will begin distributing information and food collection bags in Rowan County neighborhoods in the hope to double their record of 25,000 pounds of donated food in 2015.

Groups will return to neighborhoods on a date specified on the collection bag and bring it to Rowan Helping Ministries to be sorted and weighed from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 22.

“Donations received from this food drive are used to replenish the food pantry,” said executive director Kyna S. Grubb.

Rowan Helping Ministries provides more than 1,375 pounds of food to about 55 families daily. Many clients seeking help are those who live on a fixed income or work but are struggling to provide for their families.

“You can see why this event is so important to us. The more people participating means the potential to collect more donations. In turn, we are able to help more people and that is why we exist,” Grubb said.

This year, an added incentive will motivate smaller groups to participate in hopes to compete with the big contenders and promote friendly competition. Groups that collect 500 pounds, 1,000 pounds and 1,500 pounds or more will receive a plaque honoring their commitment to fight to end hunger.

“One thousand pounds may sound like a lot of food, but that doesn’t even get us through a day at Rowan Helping Ministries,” said Brynn Smith, shelter volunteer coordinator.

Additionally, whichever group collects the largest amount of food will receive the heavyweight trophy that has been passed around since the drive began. Last year, Neel Road Baptist Church took first place by collecting 1,700 pounds of food.

“This food drive is so important because no one should ever have to choose between paying their bills or putting food on the table,” said Erica Taylor, public relations and communications manager.

Those interested in participating this year can attend an informational meeting at 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Robertson-Stanback Center, 217 N. Long St.

For more information about participating or donating food, contact Taylor at 704-637-6838, Ext. 123, or etaylor@rowanhelpingministries.org