From now until Thanksgiving, the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge is holding its annual food drive in conjunction with its 19th Thanksgiving Day Run. The Community Center is asking the public to be generous at this time of year and help feed those in the community who may go hungry at Thanksgiving.

The LCF Community Center is working with local schools and businesses to collect items, such as canned foods, pasta, rice, baby food, beans and other non-perishables. Because of potential breakage, it is requested that items in glass containers not be donated. Grocery store gift cards are also welcomed.

This year the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge is again partnering with the Crescenta Valley Sheriff Station to collect food and to distribute to families in need.

According to Sgt. Burton Brink, “Every year, our deputies respond to calls for service to find families struggling to get by without food for their families. With this food drive, we are able to give back to those that are trying to get back on their feet and are working hard. With the costs for food so high, they have a hard time meeting that need. With this food drive, we, as a community partnership, are able to give back to those in our area that cannot meet that need for their children this holiday season. We are honored to work in such a caring and giving community.”

Community Center president Ara Aslanian is “thrilled with the number of local businesses and schools participating in the 2012 food drive.”

“The Community Center has a long history of working with local organizations and we are grateful for their participation in our food drive,” he said. The theme of this year’s Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive is “Running Forward to Give Back.”

With the unprecedented amount of businesses and schools participating as food drop off spots, this year promises to be the biggest food collection ever. Non-perishable food donation drop off spots are located in La Cañada, La Crescenta and Montrose.

La Cañada locations include the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, Gilmore Bank, Giuseppe’s Pizzeria, La Cañada Elementary, La Cañada High School seventh through 12 grade, Palm Crest Elementary, Paradise Canyon Elementary, City Hall, North Shore Burgers, Printefex, Citibank, La Cañada Valley Sun, State Farm, FastFrame, Citizen’s Business Bank, Flintridge Family Chiropractic, Kobeissi Properties and the offices of the La Cañada Unified School District.

The La Crescenta locations include the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station, CV Weekly, Rosemont Animal Hospital and CV Water District headquarters.

The Montrose locations include Bath & Biscuit, Color Me Mine and RDC Dance Academy.

Both chapters of Kiwanis in La Cañada will assist with the donations and collections.

In addition, all participants in the CCLCF’s Thanksgiving Day Run are encouraged to bring food items on race day to donate to the food drive. The Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive will take place at 8:30 a.m. in Memorial Park. All participants are encouraged to pre-register at www.ThanksgivingDayRun.eventbrite.com.