Harvest for your community
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

In a country where those with plenty live among those in need, it is important to share thewealth.

Industrial FederalCreditUnion has announced the 18th Annual Community Harvest Food Drive to Benefit Food Finders Food Bank is underway.The eventwill continue throughNov. 16.

Kim Motuliak of Benefitting Food Finders FoodBank Inc. said the organization distributed more than 28,000 pounds of food to agencies in Carroll County in 2006.

Earlier this year Food Finders partneredwith theCarrollCounty Community Foundation to distribute 300 pounds of fresh processed pork to families in need in Carroll County. Motuliak said poundage expected to be received this year is currently on pacewith last year.

The annual harvest campaign comes at a time of yearwhen supplies traditionally are insufficient to meet the need according to Food Finders Executive Director BarbaraAhler.

"Supplies are low again this year, andwe've seen an increased service to agencies," she said. "We really count on proceeds from Community Harvest to see us through the winter months and holidays."

Food Finders serves human service agencies in 16 counties throughout mid-north Indiana including Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Fulton, Howard, Jasper, Miami, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton,Warren, and White counties.

The goal for the 2007 harvest campaign is 119,000 pounds of food. IFCU Business Development Director Deb McGee said the institution has tried hard to reach out to neighboring communities it and Food Finders serve.

"We are truly hoping to shatter the 2006 goal," McGee said. "These are such great communities we know they will meet the challenge."

As part of the campaign, canned food sculptures created by local business and civic groups will be on display at theTippecanoeMall through Oct. 10. The food will then be donated to the drive.

Carroll County residents can drop off food donations at the IFCU branch in Delphi and the Wabash&ErieCanal Interpretive Center.

Businesses and individuals can make monetary donations by mailing to: Food Finders Food Bank, c/oCommunityHarvest, 50 OlympiaDr,Lafayette, IN, 47909.