The seventh annual Make a Difference food drive will be held in Richland County on Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

Organizer Doc Stumbo told the Richland County Commissioners Tuesday, 17,000 items were collected last year, with this year's goal 20,000 items.

Drop-off points include Graham Auto Mall at 1515 West Fourth Street in Mansfield; the Kroger store at 1500 Lexington Avenue, 1060 Ashland Road, and 1240 Park Avenue West in Mansfield; Goodwill at 2154 West Fourth Street; Richland Bank in Butler; the District 5 Area Agency on Aging; and the Mansfield fire stations at 140 East Third Street, 35 North Brookwood Way, 705 Sunset Boulevard, 1020 South Main Street, and 655 Springmill Street.

The food pantries will be re-stocked at the Salvation Army, Domestic Violence Shelter, Volunteers of America, Harmony House, Catholic Charities, and Butler Clearfork Nutrition Center.

Stumbo says all types of food are needed, especially canned meat and canned fruits and vegetables.

Household and personal hygiene items are also needed.

Volunteer drivers will be available to pick up donations.

Sherman Elementary School in Mansfield, and the Lexington/Shelby Elks Lodge will hold food drives to contribute to the Make a Difference event.  

Sponsors include WMFD-TV and WVNO MIX-106 FM.