When Jan Marie and Chris Blouch held a food drive over two days in November, they collected a ton of food - almost literally. "We collected 1,963 pounds of food, just short of a ton," Jan Marie said. "A ton is our goal for next year."

The couple, which owns of Cabal's Lair in Manheim, has been holding the food drive for seven years. Customers and community members were encouraged to bring nonperishable items for the Manheim Central Food Pantry and the Agape Family Shelter in Lebanon, and the public responded. "It was phenomenal," Jan Marie recalled of the two-day event. "We were busy with people dropping off donations from the moment we unlocked our doors until we closed up at night." In addition to food donations, the drive collected $1,300 in cash contributions for the Agape Family Shelter.

Along with collecting food, each year's event is a party, complete with games, giveaways and walking tacos. This year, it marked a special occasion for the Blouches - their 15th year in business.

Cabal's Lair, named for the pet scorpion Chris had as a teenager, offers tattoos and piercings and provides an opportunity for the Blouches to display their creativity. Chris has a background in commercial art and design, and he designs the shop's logos, found on T-shirts and stickers for sale in the store. Jan Marie, a former family and consumer science teacher, joined her high school sweetheart in business when they realized how well they worked together. Jan Marie points out that the shop's name has another meaning as well. "A 'cabal' is a term used to describe a group of artists and creatives," she said, "so it really fits what we do."

For both Chris and Jan Marie, the food drive has a personal connection. "We both came from really poor families," Chris said, recalling his childhood in Lebanon. Jan Marie added, "As a little girl, I lived at Agape Shelter for a while when we were homeless. This is my way to give back to them."

Chris credits Jan Marie for the fundraiser's success. "She's a giver," he stated. "She loves to help people." Along with the food drive, the couple routinely supports organizations such as Make-A-Wish and the Manheim Veterans Memorial, as well as activities at Manheim Central School District. In March, the Blouches are organizing a pet-supply drive for the Humane Society of Lebanon County in honor of a high school friend who was killed in a car accident. At the recent anniversary party, they selected a teacher to support with all cash tips collected during the month of November. "We had 50-some nominees," Jan Marie said, noting that the winner was Lebanon School District teacher Becky Koehler. The couple also supports the Jerry Lampkin Scholarship in honor of Jan Marie's basketball coach at Lebanon High School.

Chris said the food drive continues to grow every year, as more and more people contribute. "The pantry staff is shocked every time by how much we've collected," he said. Jan Marie said she's not surprised by the community's support. "How you treat people matters," she stated. "How you make a person feel matters. We try to keep that in mind every day, and I think people respond to that."