A food drive with a fast food approach. That describes a food drive happening outside the Eagle Tribune building on Route 114 in North Andover this Saturday, Aug. 28. Folks can drive into the building's front parking lot, hand over food donations through the car window to volunteers and quickly be back on their way. Donors don't even have to get out of the car.
"Isn't it the coolest thing?" Ken Campbell of Lazarus House said of the drop-off approach.
After all, who doesn't have a Saturday errand somewhere along Route 114? A convenient drive-through food drive can be a feel-good pit stop.
Campbell said economic problems continue to hit local families very hard. The number of families helped by the Lazarus House Food Pantry has increased even since last year.
"We're helping 400 to 500 families a week as the economy has hit hard. It's week to week for them and they need help," Campbell said. "Our food pantry helps with their groceries."
Campbell said Andover families are part of those numbers, although a breakdown of where families are from is not tallied.
"We help anyone who needs help," Campbell said. "We don't turn anyone away."
Donors will be able to drive in and drop off their nonperishable food items. Good Start Plus Baby Formula and baby wipes are especially needed.
Campbell said Andover residents are always generous with food drive donations.
"We just sent the truck to St. Augustine's. They had a food drive for us and the response was great," Campbell said. "Free Christian Church is also very supportive and South Church helps many food pantries."
