KMIZVolunteers wait to collect donations for The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri at the Columbia Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive raised more than $78,000 for The Food Bank in 2024. COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri raised more than $78,000 at its 18th annual One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive Wednesday. Executive director Lindsay Lopez said preliminary totals show that the nonprofit collected $78,751 through the drive. The Food Bank collected donations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Columbia Mall and Buchheit of Jefferson City. The preliminary total exceeds what the organization raised in 2022 and 2023. Lopez said the money and food will help them give food to its many partner agencies across the state. "The bulk of the food will stay right here in this community and in the Jefferson City, Cole County community, as well," Lopez said. "The dollars will help us to support these communities and beyond. And it will really provide so much to neighbors in need over the holiday season and into the new year." According to The Food Bank, its most needed items are canned meat/protein, canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups like chili and stews along with boxed meal kits, cereal, peanut butter and pasta. Donations help the organization serve people across a 32-county area. The Food Bank said every $25 donated goes to at least 100 meals. For those who can not make it to a drop-off location in Columbia or Jefferson City, you can donate online. Volunteers helped put on the drive on Wednesday, but The Food Bank said it needs help year-round. It often sees volunteer numbers drop in January. If you would like to volunteer, you can do so here. In 2023, nearly 12,000 volunteers dedicated more than 71,000 hours to serving at The Food Bank, which allowed the organization to invest $2.3 million in the community. Firefighters from Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 and Jefferson City Firefighters Local 671 helped during the One for One drive. ABC 17 News also took part in helping to collect donations. The post One for One Holiday Food and Fund Drive brings in more than $78,000 for The Food Bank appeared first on ABC17NEWS.