Members of the Italian American Women's Association (IAWA) of Erie stepped up over the weekend to host a food drive that benefited the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania. 

Boxes, bags and other items that were collected by members of IAWA were dropped off Monday to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

The group collected non-perishables and other items on Saturday in the Liberty Plaza parking lot in Erie.

Enough donations were collected to load up several different vehicles to help families in need who are relying on food bank donations during the pandemic, or otherwise throughout the year.

The group is now in its 37th year.

In a typical year, several fundraisers are held to raise money for scholarships area students can use to further their education. Like many other civic groups, it's been about a year since the group last met.

The group is holding a contest on their Facebook page to guess how many pounds of food was collected in their weekend food drive. 

The winner will receive some Italian themed t-shirts.