Edward Jones is collecting food Oct. 15-Nov. 19

Would you like to have a chance to really make a difference in the community?

Buy a few extra items when you buy groceries this week to donate to the local food pantry and drop them off at our local Edward Jones branch.

The Cedar Springs Community Food pantry, located at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church on Main Street, works in conjunction with North Kent Community Services. They feed hundreds of local families each year. In the past, the food pantry depended on the fall food drive with the local U.S. Post office to help stock their needs. Now that the carriers are based in Rockford, they no longer have the big drive to benefit this pantry, so one of our local businesses has stepped in the last several years to help restock the shelves.

Edward Jones, 4027 17 Mile Road, Cedar Springs, hopes to collect 2000 pounds of food for the pantry before November 19. Last year’s goal was 1,750 pounds, and they raised 1,996 pounds. Let’s help them meet their goal again! They started this annual food drive in 2010, and over the last five years, they’ve collected almost 7,000 pounds to benefit our neighbors in need.

Non-perishable foods can be dropped off at the Edward Jones office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Some of the supplies needed include boxed or canned meals such as soups, hamburger helper, macaroni and cheese, rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce; baking and pancake mix; and canned meats. Personal care items such as bar soap, laundry soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and toilet paper will also be accepted, but not weighed.

Call 696-9370 for more information.