The Demopolis Rotary Club along with the Demopolis High School JROTC will be working over the coming weeks to help fill the shelves at the Demopolis Food Pantry this holiday season.

This year’s Rotary Food Drive will officially kick off at this Friday’s playoff game at Demopolis High School where Rotarians and members of the JROTC will be collecting canned foods and monetary donations at the gates. Those attending the game are asked to participate by bringing their donations to the game.

Other Marengo County schools are also getting in on the project this year. Schools across the county will collect food from Nov. 12 through 16 and the school that brings in the most items will win a chicken wing party, courtesy of Batter Up Sports Grill. Batter Up has been a sponsor a food drive for several years. Also assisting in the drive is Boy Scout Troop 41.

Also beginning Nov. 12, monetary donations for the food pantry will be collected at Parr’s Chevron, Langley Shell, and Malone’s Texaco.

On Sunday, Nov. 18, from noon to 2 p.m., Rotarians and the JROTC will be collecting food and monetary donations at Vowell’s Fresh Market.

The food drive culminates on Nov. 20 when the food and a check will be delivered to the Demopolis Food Pantry.

“All of the money and food will go to help those in need in our area through Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays,” said Jason Windham, who is among those Rotarians organizing this year’s food drive.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, November 7 issue of the Demopolis Times.)