North Whidbey Help House’s “Feed the Need” food drive was a success Monday with more food items brought in than a year ago.

During the annual food drive, about 3,100 items were donated during the five-and-a-half-hour collection from grocery stores around Oak Harbor. More than 50 volunteers participated.

One thing different about this year’s Feed the Need drive, according to Jean Wieman, director of the Help House, was a list of items the food bank needed that was delivered to grocery stores.

“They kind of knew what we were going to be specifically looking for,” Wieman said. “I think the stores kind of appreciated that … we told them what we were looking for so they could have it on hand.”

Some of the popular items donated were cereal, pasta, rice and peanut butter, all of which were on the list of suggested items.

Julia Williams, a human services student at Western Washington University in charge of organizing the volunteers, said help came from military personnel from Fleet Readiness Center Northwest, VAQ-209, VAQ-131, the Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, Naval Ocean Processing Facility Whidbey Island, Brothers in Arms Motorcycle Club and people from Skagit Valley College. High school students who needed to fill their volunteer-hour requirements also helped.

“The atmosphere was exciting and contagious, and watching the smallest members of our community participate — the children — that was heartwarming,” Williams said.

Wieman said that they collected about 300 more food items than last year’s drive.

“It’s always an awesome day,“ Stevens said. “It’s always fun. Everybody that comes and volunteers has great enthusiasm.”

Volunteer Jake Hucko, an Oak Harbor High School Student, said that one of the best parts about helping out was people noticing.

“There was a lot of people that said, ‘I’m glad you’re doing it. You’re doing a good job,’” Hucko said.

Wieman said special thanks should go to volunteers Fran Stevens and Hap Fakkema, who have helped out every year, all day each time.

She also said Williams did “a great job organizing the volunteers.”

“The weather was wonderful,” Wieman said. “What more could we ask for?

“Beautiful day, great volunteers, great support. Good day.”