MARYSVILLE One sure sign of the impending holidays appeared last week as approximately 65 red food collection barrels were put in place at businesses from one end of the city to the other.
Volunteers placed the barrels for the Operation Marysville Community Christmas food drive to benefit the Marysville Community Food Bank.
Interim food bank director Jo Anne Mulligan said her organization regularly lends a helping hand to some 500 families, though that number goes up during the holidays.
As usual, the OMCC drive kicked off with a citywide collection event. Though the collection barrels usually are left on their own, volunteers manned collection points at six local stores Nov. 3. The kick-off was a rousing success, according to OMCC volunteer Terri Hall.
Those manned collection spots took in 4,919 pounds of food. Thats about average compared to previous years, Hall said. But the initial drive also brought in $1,200 in cash and gift card donations. The amount was double what OMCC brought in during the kick-off to last years overall holiday collection.
Thats a tremendous amount of support, she said. Were really excited.
Various community groups ranging from the Girl Scouts to the Kiwanis helped staff the tables and barrels set up over the weekend.
This years collection might represent somewhat of a bittersweet event for the food bank and OMCC. For roughly 10 years, city resident Lillie Lein spearheaded the drive, which has run for more than 23 years.
Lein passed away most unexpectedly, as Mulligan put it, in July. The OMCC began meeting in September to find ways to carry on without her.
She really was kind of a one-woman show, Mulligan said. Everybody is determined this thing is going to continue in her memory.
Leins shadow is big enough that not one, but three volunteers will be taking her place. Besides food, OMCC also collects toys for between 1,300 and 1,500 kids. OMCC purchases those toys, with the first big toy fundraising drive set for Dec. 1.
Mulligan said OMCC would accept cash donations as well as gift cards, which she described as great gifts for teens.
For those looking for a little extra help in the coming months, there are income eligibility guidelines. Details are available at the food bank, 6518 60th Dr. NE, next to the Marysville YMCA. Food bank hours are 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and 9-11 a.m. Saturdays.
Anyone wanting to volunteer some time to help with OMCCs various undertakings also can stop by the food bank. Further, the group meets regularly, with the next meeting Nov. 14 at the Village Restaurant, 220 Ash Ave. Anyone looking for more information can call 360-658-1054.