The Van Wert County Courthouse

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025

Day of Caring Food Drive challenge set

United Way information

Once again the challenge has been issued and accepted between Van Wert city and county government employees and Main Street Van Wert and surrounding community retailers to see who can collect the most food items for the United Way of Van Wert County Day of Caring Food Drive. The food collected will be used to restock The Salvation Army food pantry.

Last year, Main Street retailers squeaked out a victory by collecting 2,647 items. The stakes are high for both The Salvation Army food pantry and the losing side of the contest, which will once again receive pies in the face outside of the county courthouse.

Shown making plans for the 2012 Day of Caring Food Drive government-retailer challenge are (from the left) Van Wert Mayor Don Farmer; Scott Mull, Day of Caring co-chair, Anita Carvajal, Day of Caring chair; United Way Executive Director Deb Russell; Adam Ries, Denise Frey, County Commissioners Thad Lichtensteiger and Clair Dudgeon, Sheriff Stan Owens and Deputy Sheriff Tom Riggenbach. (United Way photo)

The collective goal of this year’s contest between government and retailers is 10,000 food items.  The challenge has been expanded this year, with Van Wert city and county government employees joining forces to battle Van Wert Main Street retailers, who are also teaming up this year with countywide community retailers.

An added twist in this year’s competition is that, if the government employees and retailers meet their food drive goal, United Way Executive Director Deb Russell will also take a pie in the face.

The United Way of Van Wert County Day of Caring Food Drive kicks off Saturday, September 1.  Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the United Way Day of Caring Food Drive designated barrels and shopping carts located throughout the county. Food items can be dropped off through September 26.

The goal of this year’s food drive is to collect 25,000 food items to restock the shelves at The Salvation Army Food Pantry, which serves hundreds of individuals and families in Van Wert County each year.

In addition to the individual drop-off locations and government-retailer competition, food drive challenges will also be taking place at the local schools and between service clubs throughout the county.

For more information on the United Way of Van Wert County Day of Caring Food Drive, call the United Way of Van Wert County at 419.238.6689, or email it at unitedway109@embarqmail.com.

POSTED: 08/28/12 at 5:53 am. FILED UNDER: News