The Dunkirk City School District is planning to host a food drive to benefit FeedMore WNY on Saturday.

FeedMore WNY is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and skills training to community members in need throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.

According to stats from the organization one in six people will be facing hunger in the four-county service area however with the coronavirus pandemic that need is skyrocketing. FeedMore provides food to many local agencies including the Salvation Army, Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Food Closet and the Dunkirk School District’s Marauder Market.

The Marauder Market is the first school-based pantry program in Chautauqua County and provides food to the district’s students and their households.

“FeedMore WNY gives back so much locally we want to do something positive for them,” said Michael Mansfield, Dunkirk superintendent. “We are hoping that businesses and community members will gather to help in this cause. So much help is needed with the pandemic going on.”

The district is looking for anyone interested on helping out to bring food and donations to the Dunkirk High School between 9 a.m. and noon Saturday. The most needed food items include canned fruits and vegetables and shelf-stable proteins such as peanut butter and canned fish or chicken.

For more information the public is encouraged to visit the school’s website at Dunkirkcsd.org, the district Facebook page or call the administrative offices at 366-9300.