Canfield area food drive named for late leader

He was the brains and heart behind the Canfield area holiday food drive that has fed thousands over its 17 years of existence. Now the effort bears his name.

The Andy Skrobola Memorial Holiday Food Drive has begun, with the Canfield Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus (K of C), the Lions teen group (known as the Leos), Canfield Community Care Net and the Canfield Rotary asking for food donations for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The food drive was put together and managed over the years by Andrew Skrobola, who passed away on Oct. 21. The organizations involved felt Skrobola and his family deserve the recognition for the hard work the effort is again embarking upon.

The community plays a big role in assuring the success of the project City of Canfield residents will receive flyers from the Leos on Nov. 7, asking them to place food and other items on their front porches for pickup on Nov. 14 beginning at noon. The Knights of Columbus will do the same in several township neighborhoods.

If residents prefer, residents can drop off donations at one of the Cardinal Joint Fire District stations. Station 1 at 104 Lisbon Street or Station 2 at 5007 Messerly Road.

The Lions will supply turkeys for Thanksgiving while the K of C will provide hams for Christmas. Canfield Community Care Net is providing store gift cards. Rotary is giving out winter coats.

If you wish to help, there are paper grocery bags inside the back door at St. Michael Parish, located at 300 N. Broad Street in Canfield.

Sixty families were assisted by this effort last holiday season.