Food drive

She said the agency is currently working with a family from Bridgeport that was displaced during Hurricane Ida, adding there are still 65 families displaced by that storm.

“It seems like when we get through one thing, something else pops up,” she said, adding that the Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard works with an average of 110 families each week, and each family is 4-6 people.

Budno Hope said the Community Cupboard appreciates the support of the King of Prussia District.

“Their food drive is extremely helpful to us. It’s at a holiday time when we’re busiest, and it helps carry us through to the first quarter of the following year,” when donation levels typically drop, she said. “And there is usually a financial contribution that goes along with it, and that is extremely helpful to us as well,” she said.

Conlin’s Print of Upper Merion created custom collection boxes for all participating locations and is providing other print collateral to help promote the drive, according to Ammon.

There are a variety of items needed, including food and non-food items. Among the food items needed are: pasta, crackers, peanut butter and jelly, soups, rice, cereal, canned fruit and apple sauce, fruit juices, coffee and tea and snacks, as well as baby formula. Non-food items include: toilet paper, diapers, paper towels, feminine products and personal care items. A listing of items can be viewed on the Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard website.

Donations can be dropped off at one of 26 donation boxes at 19 different locations throughout the township. That number is up from last year when there were 15 boxes in 13 businesses, according to Ammon. For a list of the locations visit https://visitkop. com/latest/help-our-neighbors-in-need-with-our-11thannual-holiday-food-drive/

The month-long effort will culminate with a Stuff-A-Truck event on Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. — 3 p.m. The plan is to fill a 16-foot box truck with food and household items for the Community Cupboard. People looking to make donations on Nov. 30 can drive up and drop off at King of Prussia Town Center at the intersection of Town Center Plaza and Main Street.

Financial contributions can be made via the Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard’s website at http://umacc.org/donate.

Last year, the district also filled a 16-foot-long box truck, and raised $2,500 for the Community Cupboard.

“With more locations this year, I think we will do even better,” Ammon said.

The Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard is located in the Valley Forge Presbyterian building, 191 Town Center Road. Started initially to support families with children that have been identified by Upper Merion Area School district personnel as food insufficient, its reach has grown to include other families, working adults and senior citizens.

“This is not an uncommon tale in communities with relatively higher costs of living,” the website states.

For more information about the Community Cupboard visit http://umacc.org/.