‘Fill My Trunk’ Food Drive Benefits Salvation Army

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

The Salvation Army of Mesquite food pantry was the recipient of more than a ton of donated food items from a drive held over the last three weeks. Mesquite realtor and city councilwoman Karen Fielding held her annual “Fill My Trunk” food drive during mid-March which yielded at total of 2,065 lbs of food for the local charity.

“It went awesome this year!” Fielding said last week after delivering the final load of food to the Salvation Army on Monday evening, Mar. 27. “Participation was huge this year. I must have filled the trunks of my cars five times or so. I just took it one load at a time. I think I had both of my vehicles full at one point!”

Fielding said that credit for the success really belongs to the residents and business-owners of Mesquite. She said that each year she holds this food drive she feels proud of the generosity and kindness of the Virgin Valley community.

“I really just start the dialog and let people know that the Salvation Army needs food,” Fielding said. “The community always responds and comes forward with donations. I’m never disappointed.”

For the past eight years now, Fielding has gotten the word out about her springtime drive. Then people start contacting her asking her to come and pick up their donations. She shows up, fills her trunk and drops the food off at the Salvation Army.

Fielding said that many in the local business sector have gotten into the act. “We had some businesses that did a food drive collection for their customers,” Fielding said. “Then they called me to pick it up. So it was kind of like a food drive within a food drive.”

Others were just individual residents who wanted to give. “I had one lady who called and said that she had 10 cans for me,” Fielding said. “She asked if that was enough to be worth my while. I told her that I was happy with any amount!”

Salvation Army of Mesquite Director Bill Ennis said that Fielding’s food drive always comes at a good time for his organization; a few months after Christmas when stores begin to get low. This is especially true this year as the organization has seen an influx of people come in needing help.
“With the economy and the high food prices being what they are, we are helping an average of 600-700 people per month right now,” Ennis said. “And I don’t see it slowing down at all. So efforts like these are much needed.”

Innes expressed gratitude to Fielding for the support she gives each year through this drive. “Karen is a huge supporter of the Salvation Army!” he said. “We are really blessed by folks like her.”