MY1043, Buck 92 radio and MyMichiganPodcasts.com, The United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties, and I-Ride will once again be “Filling a Mayflower” moving truck from Sowle Mayflower, collecting non-perishable food items, cash donations, and personal care items from the community.

This will occur on Friday, Nov. 17 from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Ric’s Food Center (at the intersection of Mission & High Streets in Mt. Pleasant), to help those less fortunate in Mid-Michigan this holiday season.

The United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties will be on site with volunteers all day to assist with the collection efforts and will physically distribute to local area food banks at 6 p.m.

Along with this, they will also be hosting the annual “Corporate Charity Challenge.” Local businesses are challenging each other (on social media & through our radio stations), to raise the most non-perishables and cash for this cause. The business who raises the most, will win the CCC Trophy (courtesy of JNR Engraving, in Mt. Pleasant).

I-Ride will be hosting their “Food For Fare” event the day of, where those interested can call the I-Ride line at 989.772.9441. They’ll come get people at their locations (within Isabella Co) and people can pay for their rides with non-perisable food items. Once they fill up their busses with donations, they’ll swing by Rics and drop them off to “Fill the Mayflower.”

Rics Food Center is also once again hosting the “High 5 Turkey Drive.” Shop at Rics, donate cash and they’ll give turkeys to local food pantries who’ll give those turkeys to local needy families. Last year alone, more than (100) families enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner just because of donations.

“The holiday season is especially tough on local families with children,” says Annie Sanders, President of United Way of Isabella & Gratiot counties. “Supplemental food assistance provided through our annual Fill-a-Mayflower Food Drive helps to stock the shelves of several local food pantries to ensure that no one goes hungry in our community!” Text the word MAYFLOWER now to 4-1-4-4-4 and make your cash donations now through United Way of Gratiot/Isabella Counties right now, if you’d like to make it super simple. Thank You in advance.

“We are excited because this is a time when our entire community comes together for the common good of those in need, especially after the past year we’ve been through.  We love the fact the people of Isabella County care so much about one another and are always ready, willing & able to do whatever it takes to help. Let the magic begin,” says Bob Peters, General Manager & Owner, of Latitude Media, the parent company of locally owned radio, MY1043 WCZY-FM, Buck 92.3FM/AM 830 WMMI & MyMichiganPodcasts.com.

For more information, visit www.my1043.net, www.buck92.com or www.uwgic.org/mayflower.