Sue Sitter/PCT Skip Christianson (left), of Leevers Foods, Rugby, presents a check for $2129.00 to Pierce County Food Pantry Director Vonnie Degenstein.

Pierce County Food Pantry Director Vonnie Degenstein called 2018 “a good year” for donations from Leevers’ annual Stuff-a-Truck Food Drive when she visited the Rugby store last Friday.

Degenstein stopped by to collect one final contribution for the food pantry: a check for $2,129.

Store manager Bob Dahlen said Leevers has encouraged giving in communities where stores are located with their Stuff-a-Truck drive for “sixteen years now.”

“But (the Rugby Leevers) donations are for just the Pierce County Food Pantry,” Dahlen added.

“Today, we’re going to give her a check from the donations taken at the tills,” said Skip Christianson, Rugby Leevers’ assistant manager. “The cashiers ask for monetary donations, and the customers will give a dollar, or two, or (whatever they choose).”

Christianson presented the check to a smiling Degenstein.

“In past years, Vonnie has taken the food over to the elevator and she weighs it in her vehicle, then (subtracts) the weight of her vehicle, and does it that way. Last year, (the total weight of donated food) was 850 pounds,” Dahlen noted.

Degenstein said she was grateful for Stuff-a-Truck. “We do this every year, and it (the food collected) goes on the Christmas baskets. We’ve had a lot of donations now (during the holiday season), but we spread it out throughout the year,” she indicated.

Did this year’s food collection weigh as much as last year’s?

“We didn’t weigh it this year,” Degenstein noted, “but it’s at least that much, if not more.”

Degenstein said the food pantry accepts donations year round. “We (distribute food) the third Monday of every month, she said.