DOWAGIAC — From mid-November until the end of December, a truck and mid-sized SUV are stationed near the intersection of State Road and M-51 adorned with stickers of local businesses, volunteers and donors. On the side of the cars, a message urges those coming to and from Dowagiac to help feed the hungry.

Last week, members of the C. Wimberley Automotive’s annual Feed the Hungry campaign began its 10th year of raising money during the holidays. All donations go towards buying food items to help feed families in the Cass County area. Every year, new businesses and sponsors pledge to donate to the cause, said Jim Allen, chairperson of the program.

This year, the program has a goal to raise $20,000 worth of donations, but hopes to exceed the $24,600 it made last year. Donations will be turned over to Dowagiac’s ACTION Ministries, which is a collaboration of six area churches to administer to individuals and families in the Dowagiac area. The partnership between the Feed the Hungry Program and ACTION Ministries began six years ago.

“ACTION Ministries was able to help us and take it to the moon,” Allen said. “It’s a great relationship.”

Throughout the donation season, C. Wimberley provides cars and gas for Allen and other volunteers to gather donations.

Allen, who has been involved with the Feed the Hungry program since its inception, still remembers being approached by Chuck Wimberley and one of his managers about an idea to help the hungry in the community during Christmas time.

“At first, I didn’t know what was coming,” Allen said. “After I started doing it, it was a great thing.”

Allen started by visiting businesses in Dowagiac and asking them to participate in the program. A business would donate $100, and a sticker would be placed on one of the Feed the Hungry vehicles, honoring the donor. Before he knew it, Allen ended up with $2,000.

“Dowagiac is a real giving community,” Allen said.

On Friday, Dec. 20, Allen said the program’s grand finale takes place. The Dowagiac Police Department, fire department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Silver Creek Township Police Department, True’s Towing and Recovery and Feed the Hungry cars meet at Lyon’s Industries outside of town and bring in donations to feed the hungry from Feeding America West Michigan’s Benton Harbor warehouse.

A procession of sirens leads the food to an open parking lot. Eight food pantries meet in the parking lot with a fully stocked pallet.

“It’s all over in an hour,” Allen said. “It’s one of those feel good stories. Every penny goes to food and it all stays right here.”

Allen’s business comes to a halt when the winter hits, so he is able to take over the Feed the Hungry program. For eight weeks, he dedicates his time and energy into raising donations.

“People stop me on the street, ‘I’ve only got seven bucks, I want to put it towards feed the hungry,’” Allen said.

For every $1 Feed the Hungry raises, ACTION ministries is able to purchase $6 worth of food, Allen said.

“This is one of those programs to get involved with,” Allen said.