A community-wide food drive to replenish area food pantries is being facilitated by the Skaneateles Rotary Club at the end of the month.

Joining Rotary in the effort to replenish the Skaneateles and Spafford food pantries are Delmonico Insurance, Howard Hanna and the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce.

Rotarians will collect food from front porches on April 29 starting at 10 a.m. To arrange for a home pickup, contact Rotarian Andy Stevens at 607-351-7906 or [email protected].

In addition, contributions may be dropped off during the week of April 23-29 at Delmonico Insurance, 11 Fennell St.; Howard Hanna Real Estate, 28 E. Genesee St.; and the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce, 22 Jordan St.

These annual food drives help keep local pantries stocked for a significant number of families that need temporary or on-going support.

Last year, the overwhelming and generous community response allowed Rotarians to collect 80 large boxes of food for the Spafford and Skaneateles food pantries, said Stevens, who leads the dedicated team of Rotarians in the annual effort.

“Staff at both locations were very appreciative,” he said.

In addition, more than $3,500 was collected for the pantries.

Any non-perishable groceries are appreciated, but these are top requests: Canned fruit such as pears, peaches, oranges, apples, pineapple; Fruit juices – apple, grape, cranberry (100% juice if possible); Granola; Crackers; Jams and jellies; Flavored rice – Knorr; Laundry detergent; Personal hygiene items; Paper towels; Kitchen and/or bathroom cleaning products; and Reusable bags.

Monetary donations are also welcome.

Checks should be made out to “Skaneateles Rotary Foundation” with “Food Bank” in the memo field and mailed to Skaneateles Rotary Club, P.O. Box 316, Skaneateles, NY 13152.

To contribute online, go to skaneatelesrotary.com, and click donate at the top right of the page.