The annual Kent State faculty, staff and student food drive began on Oct. 1 and will run through Oct. 20. The collection process is simple: Mail Services will pick up donated items at each department's designated mail pick-up site.

Part of last year's collection

Last year, the combined efforts of the faculty, staff and students brought in more than 7,500 pounds of food and made Kent State the most generous donor in Portage County. This year, program organizers have set a goal of 8,000 pounds of food, and have also included pet food on the list of sought-after donations.

This year, because of economic conditions in our country, the local food banks are trying to fill record requests for assistance and need our help more than ever. Every one of us knows someone who is out of work right now. Please take just a few minutes to clean out some cupboards at home in order to help fill the food banks shelves.

Every can, every box and every packaged food item makes a difference. For those of you who would prefer to donate money, you can send a check or money order to the attention of Vicki Ladd, Business Administrator Services, Room 232 of the Schwartz Center. Checks and money orders must be made payable to Change Hunger; receipts are available upon request.

Mail Services will pick up donated items throughout the food drive. Items to be picked up must be placed where mail is dropped off and picked up in each department. Feel free to put bins or boxes throughout your office but make sure the collected items are in the mail delivery/pickup locations when the bins become full. There may be days when Mail Services cannot pick up food items due to the amount of mail being delivered and picked up; if necessary you can contact Mail Services and arrange for a pick up.

The final food/supplies pick up by Mail Services will be Oct. 20. Any items received after Oct. 20 must be dropped off at Mail Services by 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 22.

For additional information, contact Ladd at vladd@kent.edu .