Because the Octorara Area Food Cupboard (OAFC) has been challenged to meet the hunger needs of local families during the coronavirus pandemic, Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church in Parkesburg holds monthly food drives to help keep the pantry's shelves filled with nonperishable food items.

Drive-through food drives are held on the second Saturday of each month at the church, located across from Minch Park, from 10 a.m. to noon. During the food drive on Jan. 9, church volunteers Paula and Jack Shelton and LeeAnn Johnson were on hand to accept donations.

Local residents stopped by to drop off canned goods, including cases of peanut butter, baked beans and spaghetti sauce, as well as cereal and pasta. In addition, a representative from Parkesburg Library, where donations for the cupboard are accepted on a daily basis, delivered food donations to the church.

The first food drive was held on Sept. 5, 2020, and was organized by Johnson with her Girl Scout troop with the help of parent volunteers. At that event, the OAFC provided a trailer that was parked at the church. People were invited to pull up to the curb and a volunteer took the food donations from their car trunks.

Now, the food drive retains this contactless format. "Since we have been holding the food drives, we have definitely seen an increase of food donations," reported Johnson, noting the importance of supporting the OAFC. "The food cupboard can't keep up with the great need."

Many food cupboards refer to this time of year as the "heat or eat" season - when people decide whether to buy food or pay their heating bill. "They should not have to make that choice," said Johnson.

The OAFC is located at 714 Main St., Parkesburg. At present, the OAFC is open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Hours of operation are subject to change.

Food donations are accepted when the pantry is open. Items most needed by the OAFC include canned fruit, canned spaghetti sauce (not glass containers), stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, canned red beets (whole or sliced), pork and beans, boxed scalloped potatoes, rice dishes in a bag, mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup. Donations of fresh produce will also be accepted.

For more information, readers may call OAFC executive director Judy Dougherty at 610-857-4000 or visit http://www.octfood.com or http://www.facebook.com/OctoraraAreaFoodCupboard.

The next scheduled drive-through food drive will be on Saturday, Feb. 13. Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church is located at 406 W. Second Ave., Parkesburg. For more information about the church, readers may call 610-857-9176 or visit http://www.ascensionparkesburg.org.