DECATUR - The seventh annual WSOY Community Food Drive and the great blue whale have a great deal in common - or at least food drive organizers hope so. Their goal is to collect 300,000 pounds of food this year, which just happens to be the maximum weight of the largest creature on earth.

"That's an awful lot of food," said Brian Byers, vice president of community affairs for Joyner Radio. "We never take it for granted. Last year, we collected about 276,000 pounds, and we wanted to be optimistic about the giving nature of the community, yet realistic. Times have been tough for most everyone."

The drive will be from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Airport Plaza Kroger on U.S. 36 East.

As Byers explained, it's never been easier to donate. Contributors can drive up to drop off a check, cash or food without leaving their cars.

For $5 or $10, Kroger shoppers may purchase and donate bags already filled with needed items suggested by local food pantries. Those who can't make it in person Friday can dial in their donation to First Christian Church and make a pledge or donation via credit card that same day.

Proceeds from the drive will fill the shelves of Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army throughout the winter - at least four or five months, said Robin Murray, community services supervisor for Catholic Charities.

"This food drive is a major, major food drive for us," Murray said. "I am always flabbergasted that the community is so generous and responds so well."

Both the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities report an ever-growing need to stock their shelves. This summer, Maj. Bob Gauthier of the Salvation Army saw hundreds of new families come to its pantry.

"I think these families often need to make a difficult decision," Gauthier said. "Do I make an insurance payment, fill up the gas tank and go to work, or do I buy food for my family?"

Byers, Kevin Breheny and other event organizers realize the annual food drive has a major impact on Decatur's residents in need.

"This year, the community food drive is going to take on an even more important role, because we understand that the need has increased considerably," said Breheny, president of J.L. Hubbard Insurance & Bonds. "Those of us on the steering committee feel a huge responsibility to see that the shelves of Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army are well-stocked."

Breheny has encouraged community involvement in the drive-by offering grocery sacks to other businesses, whose employees can fill them with donated food items and even specify a school to which they would like their donation credited. Donations would then count not only for the business but for a school of the employee's choice. The small, medium and large businesses that contribute the most will receive recognition for their efforts in the form of a Good Neighbor Award.

Byers hopes businesses will step up their efforts, as he feels schools have in years past given far more than anyone thought possible.

More than 60 Macon County schools were involved last year, with St. Patrick Elementary School winning the prize for the most food collected. Thanks to sponsors Team Soy, Skeff Distributing, Jones & Thomas, Decatur Back and Neck Center, Ticket-N-Trips, ADM, WAND-TV and the Herald & Review, who provide prize money, schools will once again be competing for prizes in the amounts of $2,500, $1,500, $1,000, $750 and $500.

"We're pleased to have a more substantial involvement this year," said Todd Nelson, Herald & Review publisher. "It's an opportunity for those who are more fortunate to help those who are less fortunate in tougher times than we've seen for a while."

Byers encourages those who have never contributed to the drive to join the effort this year.

"There are so many good things to get involved with in this community, but this seems to have an immediate impact," he said. "There's no 'sort-of' or 'if' - it's there. And there's obviously a sense of pride and accomplishment in knowing that a child doesn't have to go to bed hungry because of the combined efforts of all of these people.

"I know times are tight, but there is always somebody less fortunate than you."

hrprojects@herald-review.com