Organizers say the situation is typical but they're hoping it changes soon.
TRAVERSE CITY -- Each year The Father Fred Frostbite Food Drive brings in thousands of donated food items for those in need. This year though organizers are concerned that donations are down.
"Compared to last year we are behind and unfortunately our cash donations are a little bit lower than we though we'd be at this point," says Father Fred Foundation operations director, Norm Bamberg.
Bamberg says it's a typical situation during the first few days of the food drive, so he's hoping donations will increase towards the end of the week.
"I'm sure a lot of dollars have been diverted towards people in Haiti which is great. If you feel you need to do that go right ahead, but remember any cash donations we receive here are good because we can spend that money later when there's a big sale going on at a store. If we get enough cash donations we can buy in bulk," says Bamberg.
The foundation's goal is to fill two trucks with food plus a third truck by the end of the week, but with donations down Bamberg says there is some concern.
"Right now we have about 40% of the first truck filled up but this is day four and there's only six to go. So, really we need to start stepping it up soon," says Bamberg.
A local business that is helping to step things up for the fifth year in a row, is Team Bob's out of Traverse City.
"This year we're able to bring over three palates of food that Meijer helped us out in obtaining and also lucky enough to bring about $4 thousand worth of canned goods," says Team Bob's Heating, Cooling and Plumbing owner, Charles King.
King says it's more than just donations, but instead a way to help the community.
"I think it's an unbelievable concept to think that one of your neighbors might be going hungry. I think we're very blessed where we live, and I think we need to take care of our own and our local community members and make sure that doesn't happen," says King.
The Frost Bite Food Drive continues thru January 24th. Volunteers will be on hand at the Garfield Plaza in Traverse City to take your donations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends.
