SPENCER — There is still time to contribute to the annual Kids Can Make a Difference food drive, being held at the N.C. Museum of Dolls, Toys & Miniatures.

The collection of canned and other non-perishable items began Jan. 15 will continue through Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, 440 South Salisbury Ave., Spencer.

This is the third annual event, said Beth Nance, executive director/co-founder of the museum, adding that they want “to carry on the tradition.”

The items collected during the drive will be donated to Rowan Helping Ministries, which has been the event’s recipient each year.

So far, the collection has been going great, Nance said.

“We always have a good turnout for the food drive every year. I think that the community really appreciates it,” she said.

Last year, they collected close to 100 pounds of food item, and this year, she hopes they are going to have even more. This year, she said, they have partnered with Central United Methodist Church in Spencer and the Spencer Woman’s Club, and therefore, they have “gotten quite a good collection of canned foods for Rowan Helping Ministries.”

There is no pre-set goal of how much they hope to collect during the food drive, Nance said, “because we’re just always so surprised by the participants in the community and how many people just drop off the canned goods.”

People know how wonderful Rowan Helping Ministries is and they want to donate, plus, she said, along with the fact that right after Christmas is a hard time of year and now especially with the weather being so cold. 

As noted on the museum’s Facebook page, children, 14 and younger who make a donation of three or more items, will be admitted free to the museum.

Normal museum hours are Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults; $8 for seniors and military; $8 for UFDC and NAME members; $5 for youth 4-15; and free for three and younger.