The Knights of Columbus and St. Aloysius students will be at Wal-Mart Saturday collecting food for the Vicksburg Food Pantry.

“We will be at both entrances of Walmart from 8 a.m. until collecting food items,” said KC trustee Charles Hahn. “Our goal is to collect 1,000 pounds of food for the pantry. We plan to have a 12-foot enclosed trailer there with the goal to fill the trailer.”

He said people are asked to donate canned goods and non-perishable items like cereal and rice.

The project is part of a nationwide KC program called the Food for Families initiative to provide food for families in need.

Called “Help Stock Up the Food Pantry for the Holidays,” the local food drive is a joint venture between the Knights of Columbus and St. Aloysius, which regularly collects food for the pantry.

“Each class has a specific food item to bring to school,” said teacher Joanne Thornton, “and every class plans a community service project. The senior class wanted to collect food for the food pantry at a grocery store, but they couldn’t find a store where they could do it. The KCs were able to get a spot at Wal-Mart, so we joined them.”