To meet rising demand for donated food, organizers of Whatcom County's largest annual food drive are hoping to once again crack the 250,000-pound threshold that set a record last year.

This year's Community Food Drive will run from Saturday, Oct. 15, to Oct. 23 at all Haggen stores in Whatcom County. Industrial Credit Union branches will accept donations Oct. 17-21.

The drive kicks off Saturday with a fundraising breakfast, hosted by Blaine-based Nature's Path, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Meridian Haggen parking lot, 2814 Meridian St.

Food banks are mainly seeking canned protein, canned fruit, pet food, diapers, toothpaste, laundry soap and shampoo. To make large donations of perishables, call ICU at 360-734-2043.

Pre-stuffed grocery bags can be purchased for $5 each at Haggen stores in Bellingham and Ferndale.

Donations will be distributed to food banks throughout the county.

Each month, food banks give out about 500,000 pounds of food to 24,000 households in Whatcom County. That's a 60 percent increase in monthly visits compared to five years ago.

Forty-four percent of food bank recipients have at least one family member who is employed, according to event organizers.

Last year's drive set a new record with 255,000 pounds of food collected, beating the goal by 55,000 pounds.

Cash contributions also will be accepted so food banks can make bulk purchases. Checks should be made payable to Community Food Drive.

The drive is also sponsored by radio stations KGMI, KPUG, KBAI, KAFE and KISM.

For more information, visit communityfooddrive.com.