BOWLING GREEN, KY – United Way of Southern Kentucky (UWSK) will hold a region wide food drive aptly titled “Feed the Need” in Allen, Barren, Logan, Simpson, and Warren counties February 15th – March 20th.

“Feed the Need” was created last year in response to the increased need in our communities for resources. After speaking with the local food pantries that benefited from the drive last year, it became abundantly clear that the need for this drive continues this year.

Companies and organizations in Allen, Barren, Logan, Simpson and Warren Counties will be participating once again by holding internal food drives February 26th-March 18th. Food drives will also be held again at Houchens Market, Save-A-Lot, IGA, Food Lion, Kroger and Wal-Mart locations in all 5 counties March 19th-20th. Volunteers are needed to pass out flyers and manage donations at selected store locations March 19th 11am-7pm and Saturday March 20th 10am-2pm. Volunteers are also needed to help sort and package donations at the main drop off and sorting site in each county.

Additionally this year, a student coordinated and managed food drive will be held to collect non-perishable items February 15th-26th. This food drive is being driven by parents of Greenwood High School band students with the students and a number of other individuals as volunteers.

Numerous locations are also serving as drop off points for the public in each county. All donations will benefit food banks in the county in which the donations were collected. The benefiting food banks include Barren River Area Safe Space, Community Action of Southern Kentucky, Community Relief Fund, Good Samaritan of Logan and Simpson Counties, International Center and The Salvation Army.

Volunteer participation in “Feed the Need” qualifies for Disney’s Give a Day, Get a Day program. Disney created this program to celebrate volunteers' good works by giving each volunteer a free 1-day, 1-theme park ticket to the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort. Log onto www.disneyparks.com for more information.

Doug Eberhart, President of United Way of Southern Kentucky, says, “Feed the Need is a wonderful way to volunteer to help provide food for an elderly person, a child or a family. By giving a few hours of your time or by donating food you are helping to fill an immediate need of someone that is hungry.”

If you are interested in helping to “Feed the Need”, please visit a participating store location during the food drive and make a purchase to donate needed food items. If you would like to volunteer to help collect or sort food donations contact the United Way office. For more information, please contact the United Way office at 270-843-3205 or log onto the United Way of Southern Kentucky website at www.uwsk.org.