There are two Fridays left to help the city of Roanoke Roanoke in its Let's Can Hunger Food drive.

It is a project to help replenish the food panty of Angel's Closet as well as help the ministry restock items such as diapers and winter coats.

The process simply involves placing the items on your front doorstep each Friday before 9 a.m. Items may also be dropped off at T.J. Davis, Chaloner Recreation Center, both city fire stations, public works and city hall.

This morning police Chief Chuck Hasty and parks and recreation Director John Simeon drove the city's box van to various points around the city to collect items while other employees did the same in their designated areas.

(The food drive continues next Friday, February 20, and the following Friday, February 27. Donors may call, but don't have to, to let city employees know they have items for pick-up. A copy of the flyer is enclosed as an attachment at the end of this story)

Typically, the city does the collection during the time leading up to the annual Christmas parade, Simeon said. “Due to the logistics, we weren't able to collect this year.”

Both Hasty and Simeon declined to elaborate but it was widely known during the time leading up to the parade there were unfounded rumors of violence and unrest that were to occur that day.

“We decided to have a month-long drive to replenish the shelves at Angel's Closet,” Simeon said. “We have two Fridays left.”

Simeon said after the holidays is when the ministry needs the most help restocking.

Thus far, the drive has been successful, Hasty and Simon said. “The first Friday was very successful and we anticipate each Friday to be more successful than the first Friday was,” Simeon said.

Hasty said KapStone and Walmart have been instrumental in the drive — KapStone donating canned food and Walmart donating clothes. Victory Baptist has also been a big contributor to the drive, he said.

Phil Hux, who is an Angel's Closet board member, said, “We appreciate what the city has done to help us out. It's been the biggest food drive that's ever been done.”