FISH food drive falls short

The annual luncheon to honor those who gathered the most cans in the FISH canned food drive is scheduled for today -- but the celebration may be clouded.

The food drive brought in 42,000 cans, about 25,000 fewer than usual.

"It was a good drive, but not nearly as good as years past," said Monte Fast, director of Friends in Service Helping. "It seems like a lot, but it will run out."

This weekend, some Boy Scout troops will begin their annual canned food drive. The Scouts visit neighborhoods on Saturday to drop off bags, and then return the following Saturday to pick up donated food.

Fast said he is hoping that drive will help fill the gap. "It would just be a great help," he said.

Although Fast is confident there will be enough food to get the homeless and needy through the holiday season, he is worried about the months following the first of the year.

"When it's going to hit us is in the dead of winter, when people really need the help most," he said. "February and March is a pretty serious time of the year."

He would like to secure enough food to last through April, when the post office will hold a food drive to boost supplies.

And time is running out to appeal to the public's generous side.

"We're looking at running out in the middle of the winter, when the charitable spirit is gone," Fast said. "People are always more willing to give during the holiday season."

The luncheon will be held at the Carson Nugget to honor students, teachers and administrators who brought in the most donations.

Awards of $1,000, donated by community service organizations, will be given out to the classrooms with the most cans.

A drawing will be held to award one teacher a trip to Hawaii.