The North Carolina Association of Feeding America Members, formerly known as America's Second Harvest, and the 2009 Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies announced Tuesday that a food drive will take place on Saturday, Jan. 10 during the inauguration festivities.

The public is asked to donate non-perishable food items and place them in bins near the Archives and History - State Library at the intersection of Jones and Wilmington Streets before the ceremony, and at the North Carolina Executive Mansion located at 201 N. Blount St.

All donations will be distributed among sister food banks across the state. The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina will represent the Association by having staff and volunteers at collection bins.

"With food banks agencies across the state seeing an increase of well over 30 percent in number of people seeking food assistance, opportunities like the inauguration are more crucial than ever to engage the community and our leaders in the hunger fight," said Liz Reasoner, Food Bank of the Albemarle Executive Director and association president. "We are grateful for the commitment to our mission."

The Association represents seven Feeding America members serving all 100 North Carolina counties.

"It's a North Carolina tradition for neighbors to help neighbors. The inaugural ceremonies are a great opportunity for those facing difficult times during this recent economic downturn," said Meg Ryan O'Donnell, Director of 2009 Inaugural Committee.

Most needed items list (no glass is requested):

• Canned meals: stews, soups, tuna, ravioli, etc. (Pop-top cans are a plus)
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Rice
• Cereal
• Paper products: toilet paper, paper towels, etc.
• Hygiene items: toothpaste, shaving items, soap, etc.
• Diapers
• Infant formula (No loose glass and plastic jars of baby food as they will have to be discarded because of health regulations)

About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that provides food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina. The Food Bank serves a network of nearly 900 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults. In fiscal year 2007-2008, the Food Bank distributed nearly 32 million pounds of food and non-food essentials through these agencies. Sadly, hunger remains a serious problem in central and eastern North Carolina. In these counties, more than 450,000 individuals struggle each day to provide enough food for their families. www.foodbankcenc.org.

About Feeding America (Formerly America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network)

Feeding America provides individuals and families facing hunger with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger through emergency food assistance programs. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org