The United Way of Northwest Connecticut launched it's 8th annual Food for your Neighbors program on January 27. The drive ends on March 9.

Food pantries continue to see increased demand over last year. The Salvation Army in Torrington has seen a 46% increase in clients. The Winsted Salvation Army has seen a 15% increase in clients. Friendly Hands Food Bank has seen a 30% increase in need.

Good items to donate are your non-perishables like tuna, peanut butter and jelly, soups, cereals, pasta, tomato sauce, canned meats, stews, canned vegetables, and boxed juices.

Food for your Neighbors will distribute collected food to FISH, Friendly Hands, Fishes and Loaves, Salvation Army Service Center in Winsted, and Salvation Army in Torrington.

The collection-distribution point in Torrington will be the Church Street entrance of the old Register Citizen Water Street building. The collection point will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Individuals and employee collection sites are encouraged to drop collected food off on a weekly basis.

Canaan residents and businesses can make their drop offs at community collection sites. Canaan residents can also contact Wendy Currier of Fishes and Loaves at 860-318-1272 to make arrangements for drop off. They can also contact Cheryl Hunter of the YMCA at Geer at 860-824-2788. The Winsted Salvation Army Food Bank at 110 Main Street will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday for food delivery from employees and community drop offs.

All food will be distributed in the region in which it is collected. Lat year 28,146 items were collected. Since its 2004 inception, over 165,565 items have been collected and distributed to local food banks.