NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — For the second year in a row, the Nashville Zoo is holding its "Souper Bowl" Food Drive.
The drive is partnered with the Community Resource Center which is looking to collect all kinds of shelf-stable food items. That includes food in cans, jars or boxes.
The zoo will collect donations from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. starting February 12 until February 18. It's a community event zoo president, Rick Schwartz, says will continue in the future.
"We intend to do this year after year it's just a great community resource and obviously for the zoo that's what we're all about," he said.
Zoo admission is not required to make a donation, but if you donate four or more eligible items the zoo is offering complimentary admission tickets.
All donations must come in a sealed container and no less than one month from the expiration date.
Last year the Zoo's first "Souper Bowl" Food Drive was able to collect more than 32,000 pounds of food. That made it the largest collection ever for the Community Resource Center.
Executive director of the Community Resource Center, Tina Doniger, said donations helped supply food to pantries in eight counties around Middle Tennessee.
"Last year we were able to benefit 28 different organizations. And then serve everything from police precincts that have food pantries, to stand-alone food parties to unhoused communities," Doniger said.
