The Brown Bag Food Project, a local food assistance organization started in 2015, is coordinating this year’s MLK, Jr. Day of Service Food Drive in Bowling Green. The event will span two days over the holiday weekend beginning Saturday, January 16.

The MLK Jr. Day of Service is a nationwide focus in local communities to promote actions locally to assist and give back.

Events such as Food Drives and assistance with nonprofits are common themes in communities across the United States. In Bowling Green, the annual tradition has focused on food assistance and the need for stocking pantries and organizations that service those facing hunger in our community.

In coordination with BGSU students as well as local residents, the Brown Bag Food Project has taken the lead for this year’s Food Drive. The food drive will entail two days of collection of food from area residents spanning all of Bowling Green. In order to cover solid ground in the collection effort, the Brown Bag Food Project is attempting to coordinate volunteers to fill five shifts of community canvassing for food donations. This includes three two-hour shifts on Saturday, January 16 and two two-hour shifts on Sunday, January 17.

The evening of January 17, donations will be divided among local organizations in our community. The goal is two-fold; to help stock local pantry shelves and to help local residents and students give back to our community. There has been great response for the food drive in the past, and the Brown Bag Food Project hopes that this year can top prior years.

For more information on the food drive and how to volunteer, all are encouraged to call 419-960-5345 or email brownbagfoodproject@gmail.com.