Veishea officials are working in coordination with the Ames Bethesda Lutheran Church to gather nonperishable goods for local families in need.

The Bethesda Lutheran Church distributes at least 75 sacks of groceries to people in need every week, but during the holiday season the number increases substantially, said Roy Hougen, coordinator of voluntary ministries.

Veishea committee members are holding a canned food drive this Friday. All nonperishable items can be brought to the Veishea office in Room 40 of the Memorial Union after 9 a.m. Items can also be dropped off at Hy-Vee Food Stores, 3600 W. Lincoln Way or Save U More, 538 S. Duff Ave., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Veishea committee had a canned food drive last year, but it was a competition between committee members, Shellee Novotny, Veishea general co-chair, said. “This year we decided to open it up to the public.”

Donations will be taken to the Bethesda Lutheran Church to be distributed to local families, Heather Richards, a member of the Veishea committee, said.

“If people come to us to get food, they probably need it,” Hougen said. However, each family can only receive one donation every 30 days.

Hougen said the church tries to provide a balanced sack of food with canned meat, vegetables, soup, breakfast cereal and a dessert.

“There are people who feel the extra need for things to make their holiday special,” Hougen said. The church tries to do special items around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Inexpensive personal items or holiday trimmings such as turkey, cranberries, pie fillings and sweet potatoes are often added to the sacks this time of year.

Hougen pointed out that people should remember those less fortunate people, especially around the holidays. “A lot of people who are in need are not necessarily visible,” he said.