Main Street businesses and the County Government employees have kicked off a food drive challenge for the United Way Day of Caring food drive to benefit the Salvation Army.

“Since Main Street was the pacesetter for the 2011 United Way campaign I was thinking that we should continue our support and have a food drive challenge to help meet the 25,000 Day of Caring food item goal", states Denise Frey of first financial bank.

"I spoke with the county commissioners and they were more than willing to participate. At the end of the day on Thursday, September 22 the items will be counted. Whoever has collected the most items will be the winner of the challenge.

In order to make it a little more interesting and to have some fun, the winners of the challenge will get to choose someone from the losing side to take a pie in the face in front of the courthouse on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 12 noon. I am hoping this will be a great incentive! Some people I spoke to were already thinking of who they would pick! It is my hope that people will really get behind this challenge and bring in a lot of canned food items and we can have some fun at the same time”.

Team Captains for Main Street businesses are Denise Frey and Dianne Fisk of first financial bank. Team Captain for the County Government is Pam Henderson.

Collection points to drop off food are: first financial bank, the county annex building, the courthouse, Butler’s Bakery, and Mengerink’s Source for Sports. Anyone in the community is welcome to drop off canned food items at your choice of locations.

Vantage FFA donates to United Way Day of Caring Food Drive

FFA President Abram Mitchener (Home School, Lincolnview) presents a check for $500 to Deb Russell for the Day of Caring food drive.

Abram explained that they had some funds in their treasury and decided to donate them to the Day of Caring food drive. They talked it over with their instructor Mike Miller, a 1983 graduate of the Vantage Ag Diesel Program, (kneeling in front) and decided to donate $500 to purchase food for the Vantage Day of Caring food drive.

"I think it is fitting that the Future Farmers of America members are feeding the hungry", states Russell. "We are very appreciative of these awesome FFA members for choosing to purchase food with their funds. It shows their concern for others less fortunate in the community. I know that all the students at Vantage have been busy collecting food and funds and will do a mass food shopping on Thursday. We appreciate all that they have done for the food drive and the Day of Caring in general. Vantage Career Center not only participates in the food drive, but students work at the blood drive assisting the American Red Cross as well."

Service Club Challenge

The Service Club Challenge will once again be part of the food drive, and the service club with the most number of food items donated per club member will win the traveling trophy. The Service Club Challenge ends on Wednesday, September 21 at 12 Noon.

2011 Service Club Challenge Results:

Van Wert Rotary -- 7,916 items
Van Wert Optimists -- 2,387 items
Van Wert Service Club -- 2,092 items
Total -- 12,395 items

There are several projects still available for local businesses and industries to partner with a United Way agency to perform larger jobs that otherwise would not be able to be completed.

Businesses or companies that would like to be paired with a local agency for a project can call the United Way at 419.238.6689.

Project done 8-23-11