Shoppers who visit Dutch-Way Farm Market, 365 Route 41, Gap, on Saturday, March 20, will have the opportunity to donate food for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard (OAFC) as part of the Parkesburg Lions Club Food Drive.

From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, Lions Club members will be stationed in the lobby of the market. Shoppers will be offered a list of items most needed by the OAFC as they enter the store, and volunteers will collect donations as shoppers exit the store.

Suggested donations include canned vegetables, boxed potatoes, rice dishes in a bag, cereal, peanut butter and condiments. Especially needed are items that are nutritious and can easily be made into a meal, including beans, dry pastas and sauces, soups and canned tuna and chicken.

"The food bank brings a trailer to Dutch-Way and leaves it there so that we can load collections as we receive them. They then come pick it up once our efforts are over," explained Lion Robin McKenna. "The food bank is so organized. (It is) such a great organization."

The OAFC provides residents of the greater Octorara area, which includes Cochranville, Atglen, Christiana, Sadsburyville, Pomeroy and Compass, with food assistance. To receive aid, clients need to provide photo identification and proof of residence such as a utility bill. All requests are confidential.

The OAFC is located at 714 Main St., Parkesburg. Because of the pandemic, the pantry is distributing food in a drive-through format.

Current hours of operation are Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Food donations are accepted at OAFC on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. Monetary donations are also welcome.

For the month of April, the OAFC is planning to create health and beauty bags for clients to be distributed along with the food items. The pantry has obtained toothbrushes and toothpaste, but it is in need of women's and men's deodorant, shampoo and bars of soap.

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