The holidays will be coming a bit early for nearly two dozen area food pantries — and the countless families who rely on their services.

Next Wednesday, volunteers will drop off thousands of canned goods, other nonperishable food items and toiletries to 21 pantries across Berrien and Cass counties as part of the United Way of Southwest Michigan’s first ever Christmas in June Day of Action.

Local businesses, which have collected the food items from others in the community for the past several weeks, will take the donations to one of three drop-off points — at Buchanan Middle School, Brookside Learning Center in Cassopolis and Upton Middle School in St. Joseph — where United Way staff and volunteers will sort through and deliver the food to the pantries.

This is the first year that United Way Southwest Michigan —  part of a network of 1,300 nonprofits under the umbrella of United Way Worldwide — has organized the food drive. The area agency is just one of many United Way groups organizing an event on June 21, as part of United Way Worldwide’s Day of Action, said Charlotte Rogers, director of annual campaign with UWSM.

The name of the event refers to the fact that most people tend to donate vast amounts of food to pantries during the holiday season. However, by the time summer rolls around, donations often come to a halt, leaving many pantries in need of food to continue supporting hungry families.

“This is something that can impact so many people, and it is such a simple thing to do,” Rogers said. “Donating a couple cans of food can go such a long way. With so many of us doing that at once, it will make a huge difference.”

Nearly 40 companies volunteered to support the United Way’s efforts. Each company selected which particular food item its employees would collect donations for, and were given a goal of collecting 75 or more of that item. The United Way selected the number 75 due to the fact it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, Rogers said.

A lot of the participating businesses have already reached and surpassed their goals, she said.

“It has really taken off,” she said. “The response has been so overwhelming and fantastic. This community is amazing.”

Managers of the food pantries the United Way is supporting through the effort are grateful and excited for the summertime boost as well, Rogers said.

While the organization will not have final numbers on donations until after the event next week, Rogers and others with the United Way are hoping for a strong showing, she said.

“We would love to bring this back in the years to come,” Rogers said. “I think it should be, because the need will always be there.”

People interested in volunteering with the United Way may call (269) 982-1700.

PARTICIPATING FOOD PANTRIES

Salvation Army, Niles

Receiving soups, peanut butter/jelly, Hamburger/Tuna Helper, and canned meats and fruits

Christian Service Center, Niles

Receiving peanut butter/jelly, canned fruit, spaghetti sauce, tooth paste, soups

Faith Victory Church, Buchanan

Receiving peanut butter/jelly, canned fruit, tuna, cereal, boxed meals

Helping Hands of Cass County, Cassopolis

Receiving peanut butter/jelly, macaroni and cheese, fruit roll-ups, fruit cups, toilet paper

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Dowagiac

Receiving canned fruit, flour/sugar/salt, canned meat, juice and personal hygiene items

Our Lady of The Lake, Edwardsburg

Receiving beef stew, canned fruit, box milk, dry pasta and canned meat