Fill the Fridge crosses the state line into Kansas

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - Kansas City’s first-ever perishable food drive, now in its third day, has collected nearly 4,000 pounds of food and enough money to provide more than 26,000 meals.

41 Action News has teamed up with Harvester’s and Price Chopper to put on Fill the Fridge. Each day this week, we are taking perishable food donations at a metro Price Chopper and accepting donations all week long on the Virtual Food Drive on KSHB.com/fillthefridge.

We will be at the Olathe Price Chopper, 15970 S. Mur-len from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

In the first two days of the drive, donations at the Price Choppers in Platte City (Monday) and Blue Springs (Tuesday) totaled 1,570 pounds and 2,051 pounds, respectively.

Those numbers do not include large donations of tilapia or ground turkey or any of Wednesday’s food items given in Olathe.

As of 10:25 a.m. Wednesday, donations to the virtual food drive had totaled $5,250, enough to provide 26,250 meals to the food insecure in and around Kansas City.

To donate, just come in to the store, buy a perishable item like milk, cheese or fruit, and put it in the refrigerated truck.

If you can't make it out to any of the locations, add to the donations already made to the Virtual Food Drive at KSHB.com/fillthefridge.

Check out this YouTube video to see JiaoJiao Shen walk you through the steps of donating online: http://youtu.be/1lb6AvOqqb0

Why are we doing this?

Food drives often have to ask for non-perishables and canned items because of the logistics of storing and transporting. This event will allow you to donate items like milk, cheese, lunchmeat, and fruit to people who need them but rarely get them.

One in five children in this city has food insecurity, meaning they aren't sure if they'll eat tonight. You can be a part of this perishables movement. You and your families, your kids, your church groups, your neighbors can all be a part of helping FILL THE FRIDGE!

This drive benefits Harvesters and the more than 620 agencies it serves. We’ve partnered with Price Chopper to make it easy on those wanting to donate. Simply buy extra while you do your grocery shopping and drop at any one of the five chosen locations, or donate online and virtually fill the fridge.

Together, we can make a tremendous difference in the lives of neighbors, classmates, and co-workers in need.