Advent calendar designed for those in need of food

RITZVILLE – The Food Pantry is holding a November food drive for Christmas baskets to be delivered in mid-December.

Ashlee Oostra of Ritzville is challenging community members to grab one food item each day, for the first 24 days of November, to donate to the food bank.

Oostra, who volunteers at the food bank, said she saw the idea listed as a "reverse Advent calendar" for December, and presented it to Food Pantry Director Carol Ewing.

"She thought it was a good idea," Oostra said. "We have over 100 families receive Christmas food boxes, and I saw this as a good way to boost those."

Donors are...