It is up to you, Fredonia. The annual Feeding Fredonia Challenge is underway and runs through Oct. 18.

Residents are encouraged to purchase nonperishable items, such as pasta and pasta sauce, canned fruit and vegetables, beans, soup, cereal, peanut butter, canned meats such as tuna and chicken, and other similar items, then donate them at participating collection sites. Food may be dropped off at any site displaying a Feeding Fredonia Challenge poster.

The drive is used to replenish the shelves of the church’s food pantry, recently renamed “Fred Basket,” located at the church on 219 Central Ave. Local businesses, organizations, and schools will be collecting nonperishable food for the food pantry.

The Rev. Holly Clark-Porter said the pantry is open Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The food pantry continues to be open the third Saturday of every month, as well.

Over the years, the need is growing. According to the U.S. Census, the poverty rate in the village is 24.6% in 2023.

“We are growing and we have new individuals or families that we serve every week,” Clark-Porter said. “We are growing the children that we are serving also.”

For a full list of participating businesses, check the church’s website at www.fredoniapres.org.