Two local non-profit organizations have a booth set up at the 2012 Great Frederick Fair this week. The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs and the Frederick Community Action Agency are collecting canned food items to help replenish the area's food banks.

"There's actually 1500 families per month that are receiving food from one of the food banks connected with the Religious Coalition, including the Community Action Agency food bank," says Reverend Brian Scott, the Executive Director of the Religious Coalition. He also says the demand for assistance has doubled between 2006 and 2011.

Patrons coming to the Fair can bring any canned food item, including meat, vegetables, fruits and soups. They can be dropped off at the booth located along the Plaza between the Home Arts and 4-H Exhibition buildings.

Reverend Scott says the idea for the food drive actually came from the Fair Board. "Their goal is they'd like to see that this food drive is so successful that it fills up every food bank in Frederick County for 6 weeks. We'd like to see that happen too," Scott says. So far, donations have been steady, he says.

The county's food banks are located in Frederick, Brunswick, Emmitsburg, Jefferson, Middletown, Thurmont, Walkersville, Knoxville and Urbana.  Reverend Scott says they always need volunteers. 

"We're looking for a successful drive," says Becky Brashear, the General Manager of the Great Frederick Fair, in a statement. "The success of the canned food campaign lies with the fair goers and their willingness to help stock local food banks. We know that Frederick can and will make a difference as we all work together to help one another."

The Fair continues through this Saturday.