The 18th annual Father Fred Foundation Frostbite Food Drive runs from Feb. 3 to 12. Anonymous donors are offering to match donations of food, personal care items, and cash, up to $100,000.

In response to the community’s critical need for food and personal care items, Father Fred has set a goal of filling at least three semis. A major sponsor for the Frostbite – Meijer- will station two of their semi trucks at Garfield Centre-800 block of South Garfield Avenue. Longtime sponsor WTCM & WCCW Radio will be broadcasting live throughout the drive from the Garfield Centre location

Volunteers will work at this location from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends. The food drive accepts donations of food; personal care items such as diapers, toothpaste, shampoo, laundry soap, etc.; and cash gifts, used to purchase food pantry staples when supplies run short.

This year generous and committed anonymous donors have pledged a $100,000 value match for all donations to the Father Fred food pantry. This means that the value of food and personal care items, as well as cash donations, will be matched. Fox Motors is again a major sponsor for the Frostbite. In addition to their media sponsorship, Fox Motors on U.S. 31 South will be a food collection site, with an added incentive from The Homestead.

New this year is the participation of select Spartan stores as sponsors for the Frostbite. Donations will be collected at Glen’s at Chums Corners, Tom’s in Acme, and Oleson’s at Three Mile and Hammond.

Separate food drives will run concurrent to the Frostbite in the four outlying counties. Father Fred works closely with Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, Good Samaritan of Antrim County, Kalkaska Area Interfaith Resources and Leelanau Christian Neighbors.

"Once again, we look forward to greeting the hundreds of cars and people who come out to our food collection sites with all sizes of donations during the Frostbite," said Father Fred Executive Director Martie Manty. "Food is that basic necessity that everyone can relate to and every donation – be it food or cash – adds up to helping the Father Fred food pantry respond to our community’s growing needs."