Food drive aims to collect 200,000 pounds

The Maryland Food Bank launched yesterday the annual Good Neighbor Food and Funds Drive, one of the state's largest food drives, with a goal of collecting more than 200,000 pounds of food by the end of the year.

Nonperishable items will be collected for the drive at every Giant Food store in the state from Sunday through Dec. 31, as will monetary donations for the program. Bill Ewing, executive director of the food bank, said a brown paper bag will be included in tomorrow's editions of The Sun to encourage food donations.

Ewing also said yesterday that the food bank's Second Helping program, which collects food left over from restaurants, hotels and caterers for distribution to the hungry, is starting an evening and weekend shift to gather more donations for soup kitchens and shelters. United Parcel Service is sponsoring that effort, he said.

The food bank serves more than 900 soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters.