The Oxford Kiwanis Club’s annual Holiday Food Drive, benefiting the Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS), runs throughout the month of October and will continue its gift card format that was implemented in 2020.

According to the Kiwanis, the annual food drive was a popular fundraiser for engaging many local community members. When the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions impacted the club’s ability to gather and distribute food last year, they shifted to requesting gift card donations instead. The gift cards were so popular the Kiwanis decided to continue with the same system this year, according to the press release. 

The monetary goal for this year is $10,000, which will allow TOPSS to grant families a choice in purchasing food for their preferred holiday meals. According to TOPSS, the average dinner for a family of four costs about $27. Last year, the program was able to provide 350 households with gift cards for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

To donate:

• Go to the TOPSS website at www.topss.org and click on the donation button.
• Send a check to TOPSS, PO Box 391, Oxford OH 45056 with “holiday food drive” in the memo line.

The Food Drive runs through Monday, Nov. 1.