Midwest Energy Cooperative invites people to help Feed The Need with the company’s summer food drive contest.

In last year’s inaugural event, nine food pantries received more than $7,700 in cash donations and 3000 pounds of food, and organizers are hoping to top that in 2016 and make a difference for friends and neighbors across the company’s co-op service territory.

Summer is a time of significant need for food pantries all across the country. School breakfast and lunch programs are largely curtailed, meaning more meals are needed. Donations tend to be high during the winter and holiday seasons when the need is most evident, but those needs don’t necessarily go away with warmer weather.

People can get involved by simply identifying their favorite pantry and plan a food drive. The pantry must have a physical presence and serve individuals within the Midwest Energy Cooperative service territory.

Entrants should be creative in their approach, then share that approach and the name of their charity partner in a two-minute video posted to on the TeamMidwest Facebook page.

Midwest Energy Cooperative will also donate an additional $1,000 to the two pantries whose videos receive the most votes.

To upload a video or view full contest details and requirements, visit Facebook.com/TeamMidwest. Voting will continue through July and winners will be announced in August.