The Marshalltown Police Department will host the 2020 Arresting Hunger — Rolling Food Drive on Saturday.

The drive is usually an annual event, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to be rescheduled. Of course, its rescheduling turned out to be fortuitous because many Marshalltown residents lost a lot of food after the power went out in the aftermath of the Aug. 10 derecho.

The event is planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Marshalltown Police and Fire building at 909 S. Second St.

“This has been something we’ve been doing annually now for probably five years,” said Michael Tupper, MPD chief. “This was the brainchild of Officer Paul Heitman.”

About five years ago Heitman, a 2015 Marshalltown Police Department Employee of the Year, started the program.

Usually the drive is held earlier in the year, around May.

“We decided now is a good time to have it,” Tupper said. “There’s a lot of need in the community. I want to make sure that we’re able to help support those needs.”

The event usually sees a large community turn-out, but the pandemic is forcing the effort to become mobile.

“In the past we would camp out in front of Hy-Vee for a couple hours and then we’d go over to Fareway for a couple hours,” Tupper said. “This year we’re having people come to us at the police department and it will be a drive-up event so we can socially distance.”

The date was set prior to when the derecho hit.

“I think because of what happened on Aug. 10 there is a greater need,” Tupper said. “We hope people will come out and support it.”

People will be able to drive through and drop off any of the approved food items and monetary donations for milk vouchers.

DONATIONS:

The following items will be accepted at the Saturday drive:

• 16 ounce cans of tomatoes, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, potatoes, corn, green beans, peas, carrots, mixed vegetables, pork & beans.

• 16 or 29 ounce cans of peaches, pears, mixed fruit, applesauce, pineapple.

• 10.5 ounce cans of soups–chicken noodle, tomato, vegetable, creamed soups, etc.

• Large cans of meaty soup. Large or small cans of chicken or tuna.

• Packaged rice, macaroni, spaghetti, noodles, instant potatoes, macaroni & cheese, helper dinners.

• Large or small peanut butter.

• Large cans or bottles of fruit juice — except grapefruit.

• All sizes of dry cereal.

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Contact Thomas Nelson at 641-753-6611

or tnelson@timesrepublican.com