One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive being held by The Food Bank Wednesday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri is hosting its 18th annual One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive Wednesday.

Donations will be collected from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Columbia Mall and Buchheit of Jefferson City.

According to The Food Bank, its most needed items are canned meat/protein, canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups like chili and stews along with boxed meal kits, cereal, peanut butter and pasta. No perishables or glass containers are allowed.

Donations will help the organization serve people across a 32-county area and says every $25 donated goes to at least 100 meals.

Those donating can drive up and hand their donated goods to volunteers who will place the items in a bin for collection.

For those who can not make it to a drop-off location in Columbia or Jefferson City, you can donate online.

The Food Bank is still looking for volunteers for the food drive on Wednesday and for volunteers to help year-round, as it says it often sees volunteer numbers drop in January.

If you would like to volunteer, you can do so here.

In 2023, nearly 12,000 volunteers dedicated over 71,000 hours to serving at The Food Bank, which allowed the organization to invest $2.3 million in the community.

Firefighters from Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 and Jefferson City Firefighters Local 671 will volunteer during the One for One drive.

ABC 17 News will also be at the food drive Wednesday to help collect donations.