It is time again for the Annual Susan Coleman Castle of Cans Food Drive and Celebrating 25 Years! This community campaign supports all of these agencies with one donation: The Corner Table in Newton, Eastern Catawba CCM, Exodus Homes, Greater Hickory CCM, The Family Care Center, Hickory Soup Kitchen, Salvation Army, and the Second Harvest Food Bank Hickory.

Food Lion, a key campaign supporter, has opted to make a financial contribution as it has done for the past three years in lieu of pallets of cans. The problem of hunger in Catawba County remains. There are 19,246 individuals living at or below poverty, 6,296 are children and 2,251 are seniors. Last year, Second Harvest Food Bank distributed over 3.1 million pounds of food to the agencies in Catawba County. The Susan Coleman Castle of Cans Food Drive strives to collect cans or raise funds equal or greater to $25,000 for 25 Years.

This year we will continue to offer the fund drive option or the option of collecting food. Through the fund drive “virtual” collection campaign, with a mere $1 contribution providing approximately 7 pounds of food, students can learn about giving back to the community and caring, even if they can donate only one $1. Or you may opt to collect cans as many schools have done in the past and continue to do – or a dual campaign of both cans and funds. If you do opt to collect cans, this year we are also looking for healthier food donations such as canned fruits and vegetables that are low sugar, low sodium and low fat! To donate or host an online Fund Drive Click here https://p2p.onecause.com/castleofcans2023_2

In keeping with our theme of 25 years, our collection campaign this year will run from September 25-October 25, 2023. Collection campaigns can be set up to start and end any time during that period! (Schools customarily designate a teacher, club or service group to coordinate the drive.) It is a quick and easy project. To register, send an email to susancolemancastleofcans@gmail.com and request a registration form.

If you have any questions regarding the campaign, please contact Campaign Coordinator Carleen Crawford at susancolemancastleofcans@gmail.com or 828-781-0845. For questions about setting up your page, please contact the Food & Fund Drive Coordinator, Megan Pierce, at mpierce@secondharvest.org or 704-805-1749.