Last year, Lori Scotta, a Jamestown resident who works for Prudential Financial, accepted a challenge from her employer to participate in Global Volunteer Day at the local level.

She decided to invite Girl Scouts to participate in a food drive and hay ride to benefit the food bank at St. Margaret's Church in Jamestown.

In 2002, more than 80 people donated nonperishable foods for the pantry, Ms. Scotta said. She hopes to top that number this year.

"The food pantry is in dire, dire need this year," Ms. Scotta said. Pantries all over Mercer County have been struggling through rough economic times, lack of funds and decreased donations.

Nonperishable goods can be dropped off from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the home of one of the Scout's mothers on Linesville Road. The girls have access to a large field there for hay rides, Ms. Scotta said.