The Allen County Employees' Christmas Food Drive to beneft Community Harvest Food Bank is underway.  On hand for the kickoff event were (left to right) Aubrie Ashbaugh, Sheriff's Dept. and Food Drive organizer, Bill Hoover with Community Harvest, and Commissioner Nelson Peters.

Allen County employees are taking up the challenge of helping the less fortunate in the community during this holiday season.

A ceremony kicking off the County Employee Christmas Food Drive was held today outside the County Auditor's office in the City-County Building.  The Auditor's office is one of seven drop-off sites where county employees can leave non-perishable food and other items from now until December 18.  City of Fort Wayne employees and the general public can also drop off donations at these locations.

"There are so many more people in this community who need help and we have an obligation to really try and do what we can for them," said County Commissioner Nelson Peters.  "I and my fellow commissioners, Linda Bloom and Bill Brown, heartily endorse this effort and encourage county employees to contribute."

Donated items will be going to the Community Harvest Food Bank for distribution to those in need.  "As the need continues to grow in our community, we're pleased that county employees are stepping up and assisting us in our efforts with this food drive," according to Bill Hoover, operations manager with Community Harvest.

The idea for the food drive came from Aubrie Ashbaugh, an employee in the Allen County Sheriff's Department.  "With the growing number of people in need and the challenge Community Harvest faces helping them, I just thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for county employees to donate and make a difference in their community," Ashbaugh said.

Besides the Auditor's office, other drop-off sites include the Sheriff's Office in the County Courthouse; the County Human Resources Office on the 3rd floor of the City-County Building; the main floor lobby of the Courthouse Annex; the administrative office of the County Jail; the 1st floor lobby of the Prosecutor's Office; and the Kidder Building on Lima Road.

Among the items needed are white rice in one or two-pound bags; canned fruits and vegetables; pasta or noodles; canned tuna, salmon, chicken or beef; peanut butter; boxed potatoes; personal hygiene products; and paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels and diapers.

Monetary donations are also being accepted.  Checks can be made out to Community Harvest Food Bank and mailed to the organization at 999 East Tillman, Fort Wayne, 46816.