FOOD DRIVE FRIDAYS: Restocking La Crosse’s food pantries begins today from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

It’s perhaps one of the very few times in life where you should feel really comfortable about giving your goods to the person in the mask.

Volunteers will be out today at three locations in the La Cross area collecting donations to help those in need.

Food pantries are low on stock. And the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse and the county’s health department are volunteering to restock the shelves over the next seven weeks.

The event begins today with Food Drive Fridays.

Three drive-thru locations will be set up with volunteers in those masks to collect your nonperishable donations.

Those locations will be up and running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, and the next seven Fridays through May to fill the food pantries.

If anyone isn’t able to get nonperishable foods, but still can give, there’s a big reason to donate cash as well. An donor has agreed to match up to $25,000. Donations can be made online here or by calling the Hunger Task Force: 608.793.1002.

And, if you are out and about and comfortable making a nonperishable donation, head to one of these locations any of the next seven Fridays:

o Onalaska area: Valley View Mall parking lot (by former Macy’s location): 3800 Hwy 16,
La Crosse, WI (MAP)
o Downtown La Crosse: La Crosse County parking lot behind the Courthouse & Law
Enforcement Center: 333 Vine St, La Crosse, WI (MAP)
o Southside La Crosse: Big Lots parking lot: 3960 Mormon Coulee Rd, La Crosse, WI (MAP)

The Hunger Task Force is the only free, local food bank. It provides to 91 food pantries, meal sites and youth programs to just La Crosse County. Also assisting the effort are the local rotary clubs, iFeed and Rotary Lights.

NON-PERISHABLE DONATIONS:
Canned items needed include meats (tuna, chicken), peanut butter, soup, fruit; boxed side dishes (stuffing, rices, potatoes); breakfast items (cereal, oatmeal, etc); canned ravioli and Spaghetti O’s, pasta & pasta sauce.