Local groups to collect items for Harvey victims

The Food Depot and members of several local faith communities will host a donation drive over the Labor Day weekend for flood victims in Texas and Louisiana, following an emergency request from food banks in the flooded areas that are running low on food, water and supplies.

Goods will be collected from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the St. John’s United Methodist Church parking lot, at the corner of Old Pecos Trail and East Barcelona Road, The Food Depot announced in a news release. Items collected at the site will be delivered to partner food banks in Texas and Louisiana.

Congregations participating in the effort include Holy Faith Episcopal Church, St. John’s United Methodist Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Temple Beth Shalom, St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, Santa Fe Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Santa Fe.

The Texas food banks are requesting

the following items:

Hand-held snack items, such as granola bars and breakfast bars

Pop-top, ready-to-eat foods, such peanut butter, tuna, chicken, beef stew and Texas chili; vegetables and fruits Bottled water Cleaning supplies, such as bleach, bleach wipes, paper towels, mops, mop buckets, brooms, garbage bags and bug spray

Personal hygiene items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, baby wipes and disposable diapers and feminine hygiene items

Gift cards for pet food — but no actual bags or cans of food

No donations of furniture, clothing or toys will be accepted.

To make a financial contribution, visit thefooddepot.org or mail your donation to The Food Depot, 1222 A Siler Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507. Mark the donation as a contribution to the Texas flood relief.