GREENFIELD — The Supper for Six food drive is gearing up for its 20th annual event on Thursday and Women’s Way, the affinity group of the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region, is again appealing to the public for donations to help ensure local food panties have enough to offer during February school vacation week.

Though school breaks are welcomed by many students, the lack of school food services can pose a challenge to struggling families already dealing with food insecurity. And side effects from the COVID-19 pandemic and continued high food prices only contribute to the need for additional support.

Community members, businesses and organizations are invited to drop off reusable grocery bags filled with nonperishable dinner ingredients for a family of six — such as rice, canned proteins, pastas, canned vegetables, and nut butters and jelly — at the United Way’s Greenfield office, 51 Davis St., from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15.

“Women’s Way is a group of women who came together wanting to do something for the community in a tangible way,” said Charity Day, who chairs the affinity group. “[Supper for Six] allows us to help the community and to give back to people in need in our community.”

The event will once again take place as a drive-thru in the United Way parking lot. Donors should have bags easily accessible from their trunks or back seats for volunteers and staff to collect.

Anyone who would like to donate money or bags of food but is unable to attend the drive-thru event may bring them to the United Way office on Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. If the donation is large, however, it is best to set up a specific drop-off time with Jenny Coeur, program manager of the United Way of the Franklin & Hampshire Region, at 413-584-3962, ext. 102.

All gifts made by check or online will go toward purchasing additional food for distribution.

“The families are the ones that benefit,” Day said.

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Coeur said the donations are collected and distributed through the United Way’s many partner organizations.

“It feels like it’s a drive that’s really become useful and expected each year. I feel like each year there are different challenges in the region. We hear from partner agencies that … families appreciate any support that helps them stretch their budgets,” she said. “We have a great loyal base of folks who understand the importance of it and we always have some new folks that help out as well.”

Individuals or organizations looking for more information, such as nonperishable food suggestions and other ways to give to Supper for Six, including online or by check, may visit tinyurl.com/WomensWay or send an email to info@uw-fh.org. Last year, United Way community partners in Franklin County distributed 360 bags and at least $2,000 in cash donations collected through Supper for Six.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.