The City of Federal Way has a long history of taking a single day in September to help with a citywide food drive that benefits the Multi-Service Center's Federal Way Food Bank.

This year Federal Way Mayor Jack Dovey wanted to go a step further. "If one day is good, think what we could do with a whole month," he said.

The City is working with area volunteers and businesses to boost the number of food-drive related activities this month:

Mayor's food drive challenge Sept. 9-27

Earlier this month Mayor Dovey issued a challenge to four "teams" of folks: service clubs, Federal Way schools, faith-based organizations, and City departments and commissions to see who can raise the most money, bring in the most food and/or donate the most volunteer hours by the end of the day on Sept. 27. The winning team will be honored with a trophy.

The mayor is challenging individuals to help as well. There are two easy ways to donate:

Waste Management will collect food from customers Sept. 22-26

Federal Way's solid waste hauler, Waste Management, offered to pick up food donated by any of its 17,000 customers in the city. All Waste Management customers have to do is bag up non-perishable food, mark it for the "food drive" and put it out at the curb next to their garbage container on their regular pick-up day between Sept. 22 and 26. A non-garbage truck will pick up the food.

Waste Management is pleased to partner with the Mayor's Day of Concern and contribute our collection resources for such a worthy cause," said Laura Moser, community relations manager for Waste Management.

"We believe in the mission of the Multi-Service Center and are appreciative of the services they provide to South King County. We encourage our customers to take advantage of the opportunity to support fellow community members in need of assistance."

One-day food drive at area grocery stores Sept. 27

As part of the 16th annual Mayor's Day of Concern for the Hungry, on Sept. 27 grocery shoppers are encouraged to purchase extra food items to donate to the food bank.

Barrels will be located near doors to accept these donations. Both food and cash donations will be collected from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following stores:

Albertsons

Fred Meyer (Twin Lakes)

H-Mart

Metropolitan Market

Pal-Do World Intl Market

Safeway (S. 320th)

Top Foods

Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Supercenter

"The need is great this year," said Mayor Dovey. "The food bank is seeing 20 to 30 new people every day that they're open. These are new people to the system. And the food bank is also seeing people who haven't needed the help for years but are now returning. The regular donations aren't enough. We need to view it as our privilege to help."

More than 20 cities throughout King County organize similar food drives each fall. Last year, Federal Way's effort collected 6,460 pounds of food and $814 in donations.