POTSDAM -- A winter food drive organized by the Lions, with assistance from a few local stores and the local community, brought in more than 500 food items and several hundred dollars in cash to benefit the local food pantry.

A total of 550 food items were donated and $430 in cash was collected to help the Potsdam Neighborhood Center Food Pantry.

Three Potsdam food stores, IGA, Potsdam Co-Op and Big Lots, partnered with the Lions, and allowed the food drive collection activity inside their stores on some very cold winter days over the course of two recent weekends, Feb 24-25 and Mar 3-4.

Amanda Prescott, Potsdam Lions vice-president, was project leader and organizer of the effort.

She was assisted in the collection by eight Lions, and members of Clarkson University's Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and Theta Phi Alpha Sorority, and two other Clarkson students.

The food was delivered to Kristal Hayes, Potsdam Neighborhood Center director, who also helped with the food drive efforts in Potsdam.

“With much appreciation, we all thank the Potsdam Community residents, participating businesses and Clarkson Students who joined together in donation of time, food and money to help alleviate hunger in our community,” said a statement issued by the Lions.