It’ll be two months yet before local food banks benefit from school drives, and even longer before the holiday drives

kick into gear.

This is why Melani Rohr, director of outreach and emergency services at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Northglenn, said she’s grateful to North Metro Fire Rescue (NMFR) for its annual summer food drive, which kicked off July 30 and runs through Wednesday, Aug. 15.

“There’s a lull before the school and holiday food drives, so come spring and summer, we’ve given away a lot of our food supply,” Rohr said.

NMFR hosts two annual food drives each the year, one in winter and one in summer. The donations for this drive will go to Immaculate Heart and Broomfield Fish, which covers both the fire district’s coverage areas.

“We want to constantly remind the community that it’s important to give to these food drives because the food banks are always in need,” said Stacey Mulligan, NMFR public information officer. “Citizens in our fire district have always been generous, and we look forward to having their support once again in providing food to their neighbors in need.”

Immaculate Heart gives food to about 350 to 400 families a month, Rohr said. The food bank’s boundaries for service are Interstate 25 east to Quebec Road, and 104th Avenue north to 160th Avenue. Rohr said the ideal things to donate are canned goods and nonperishable food items, including tuna, oatmeal, cereal, beans, pasta, hamburger and tuna helper, and peanut butter.

“Meals in a can are always popular,”

she said.

Mulligan said nonfood donations are also welcomed.

“People forget a lot of times that they will accept personal-care items like deodorant and toothpaste,” she said.

Rohr said the bank also accepts bar soap, toilet paper, laundry detergent and diapers.

“We try to help out with those items if we have them,” she said.

Donations for the NMFR food drive will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at any fire station. The Northglenn stations are at 10550 Huron St. and 10946 Irma Drive.

People may also donate directly to the food bank at Immaculate Heart, 11385 Grant Drive, during business hours by dropping off the items at the receptionist’s desk.