The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board has kicked off the sixth iteration of its annual Freedom from Hunger Food Drive, a campaign that increases awareness over hunger in Montgomery County.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the drive will take place exclusively online with the aim of collecting 15,000 pounds of food throughout September. Instead of physical donations, monetary contributions to buy canned goods and other foods will be accepted.

Once again, the VFTCB is partnering with MontCo Anti-Hunger Network, a coalition of local hunger relief organizations that offer resources to food networks that serve more than 80,000 people who are food insecure in the county.

This year, the need for food is even more pressing, as many of the MAHN members have seen increased demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“We take our commitment to this drive, this community, very seriously,” said Mike Bowman, President & CEO of the VFTCB. “We made a promise to serve our neighbors in need, and they need us now more than ever. COVID won’t stop us. We can fight this virus, and hunger, by coming together.”