The trucks are coming.
Leevers County Market is gearing up for their annual Stuff-A-Truck campaign, which gathers food and money for the local food pantry. People can purchase items to place in a collection bin or they can purchase a bag of pre-selected items for $10.
Of course, there will also be trucks for purchase.
The paper truck cut-outs can be purchased for $1, $5 or any other amount the customer desires.
“Our goal is to fill the front of the store with little trucks,” said Leevers Assistant Store Manager Dave Brustad.
The Stuff-A-Truck campaign began in County Markets in Minnesota about nine years ago and has been held in Devils Lake for the past seven years. Last year, two pickup boxes full of food were collected for the food pantry, with a value of about $3,400. Another $1,500 in cash was collected, which will be used to purchase supplemental items for the pantry.
According to Stacey Chepulis of Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency, the donations are much needed.
“We are short on everything,” she noted. “All of the basic necessities.”
She suggests canned goods, Hamburger Helper and boxed foods, as well as other basic necessities, such as dish soap, toilet paper and laundry soap,
This year's campaign will begin on Monday, Oct. 19 and will wrap up on Nov. 15. Those making donations can bring non-perishable food items from home or they can purchase them specifically for the food drive. A large bin will be placed in the front of the Leevers store and will serve as the official drop-off point.
But, Brustad pointed out, the items do not have to be purchased at Leevers.
He said local residents have been more than generous in the past and he expects similar results this year.
“With the economic climate the way it is, people know there are people in need,” he said.
Chepulis echoed his sentiments.
She said that in addition to the contributions made by area residents, the project also receives help from the Girl Scouts, who lend a hand in moving all the groceries once the drive is complete, and numerous other helping hands.
“Volunteers from the Freedom Center are cutting out the trucks,” she added. “It really is a community effort.”
Brustad said he is amazed at how the campaign has grown and is hoping for an even better turnout this year.
“When we started this seven years ago we never imagined it would grow to the magnitude it has,” he said. “It's an exciting time. We are trying to work hard to make it better.”
