The annual Holiday Food Drive, sponsored by the churches of North Haven, is once again collecting non-perishable food items to include in holiday boxes that will be delivered to families of North Haven for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Collection bins were set out on Oct. 15 at North Haven Town Hall and other businesses in town.

Julie Schweickert, office manager for the North Haven Congregational Church that houses the Food Pantry and from where donations are being distributed, said that although the annual Holiday Food Drive has been taking place for “over a decade, this year the limited food donations received” have become a serious concern.

After heavy demand on the Food Pantry this summer and a low donation rate all year, the current stocks at the Food Pantry are running extremely low, and the drive is seeking as many donations from the public as possible.

Although Schweickert said all donations are gratefully accepted “now and throughout the year, there are some items that we are always short on and are now completely out of stock on, such as juice, coffee, mayonnaise, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and potato/rice mixes.”

Some additional items that Schweickert said the Pantry is running extremely low on at this time are canned fruit, baked beans, chili, jelly, and cake mixes.

Food items can be donated directly to the Food Pantry at the North Haven Congregational Church any weekday morning between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

In addition, non-perishable food items can be donated through collection bins located at North Haven Town Hall, Town Hall Annex, Arnold’s Jewelers, Candid Cleaners, Connex Credit Union, Mary’s Helpers, Minotti’s Music, Mio Salon, Ron’s Barber Shop, Quinnipiac University School of Law, Paul Mitchell’s North Haven Academy, Besomebody Fitness and Pilates, North Haven Dialysis Center, and Tobin Center for Chiropractic.

Doing their part to feed the hungry this holiday season, the Boy Scouts will distribute bags on Saturday, Nov. 7 to be filled for contribution and will collect those bags on Saturday, Nov. 14. Scouts will accept donations in the parking lot of the Congregational Church.

Besides food donations, gift certificates or cash donations can also be dropped off and will go toward the purchase of perishable items. Checks should be made payable to North Haven Congregational Church, with food drive noted in the memo line.

Food items donated for the Thanksgiving Food Boxes must be donated by Wednesday, Nov. 18 for delivery on Saturday, Nov. 21. Food items donated for the Christmas Food Boxes must be donated by Friday, Dec. 18 for delivery on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Food donations for The North Haven Food Pantry may also be dropped off year-round for distribution to local families in need.

For more information, call the North Haven Congregational Church at 203-239-5691.

Contact Jaki Lauper at j.lauper@shorepublishing.com with North Haven news tips.