Volunteers dropped a few thousand empty grocery bags at homes throughout Kent today as part of a food drive for Kent Social Services by Kent State University's College of Public Health.

The bags are empty because the food drive is asking residents to fill the bags with non-perishable items. Volunteers running the food drive will come pick up the bags between noon and 6 p.m. Saturday, March 31, provided they are visible from the street.

Each bag contains a flyer with instructions about the food drive. Residents are asked to donate any non-perishable food and personal care items they can.

Deric Kenne, assistant professor of health policy and management at Kent State, said his class, which started the food drive, planned to deliver 2,500 bags across the city Thursday.

The volunteers, mostly students in Kenne's class, will sort the food Saturday and deliver it to The Lord's Pantry at Kent Social Services at 1066 S. Water St.

For community members whose homes do not receive a bag, donations may be taken directly to The Lord’s Pantry.