For the Reporter

Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Waste Management and the Auburn Food Bank are teaming up this fall to fight hunger with a community food drive the week of Sept. 24.

“This is an easy way for Auburn residents to restock the shelves at the food bank,” Backus said. “Just put your donation out with your waste carts the week of September 24, and Waste Management will take care of the rest.”

The Auburn Food Bank began in 1930 as the Community Chest and has been serving residents in the greater Auburn area ever since.

“Fall is a difficult time of the year for many of our families,” said Auburn Food Bank Director Debbie Christian. “The start of school brings increased expenses, and our clients often need help making ends meet. Using the food bank can help ease the financial pressure for families facing additional back-to-school expenses.”

Waste Management is suited to help, with trucks and route managers in Auburn neighborhoods each week. Here’s how to participate:

• All nonperishable items are accepted. Items like diapers and toiletries are also accepted. Please, no glass containers.

• Watch for a flyer attached to your garbage container in mid-September. Either attach the flyer to your donation bag or tape a sign to the bag that says, “food drive.”

• When you put your garbage out the week of Sept. 24, also put out your donation bag. Set the donation to the side of the container. Please place your donation out by 7 a.m. on the day of your garbage collection.

If you are not a Waste Management customer, you can leave a donation at the Waste Management office in Auburn at 701 Second St. NW between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Look for the container marked “food bank.”