MANSFIELD — Doc Stumbo has seen Richland County residents give a lot over the years.
But even the veteran local organizer is impressed this weekend with the community’s response to the 14th annual “Make A Difference Day” food drive.
Stumbo said he and others involved with the drive saw the most donations ever on Friday afternoon, the first day of the two-day event to benefit local food pantries.
The goal is to restock local food pantries: Salvation Army, Domestic Violence Shelter, Volunteers of America, Harmony House and Catholic Charities.
Donations are being accepted until Saturday at 5 p.m. The goal is to collect 25,000 non-perishable food items.
Drop-off points for non-perishable are Graham Automall, 1515 W. Fourth St.; Mansfield-area Kroger stores; Area Agency on Aging at Hawkins Corner, Ontario; Advantage Credit Union, 700 Stumbo Road, Ontario; Idea Works, 40 W. Fourth St.; and United Way of Richland County, 35 N. Park St.
“More people are giving this year,” said Vicky Todd, a volunteer with the Richland Senior Volunteer Program, who has worked with the food drive over the past eight years. “I was surprised we had so much coming in, but who wants to see a kid go hungry.”
Stumbo said local residents have always been giving, but he was excited by the amount of food being donated this year.
“People here are giving and they know there are a lot of people in the county in need,” he said.
