Mar. 22—Menards in Mentor is once again stepping up to help feed those in the area that are in need.

According to a news release, the home improvement store located at 9600 Diamond Centre Drive is serving as a drop site for a local food pantry through March.

"We're excited to participate in this wonderful opportunity while lending a helping hand to the community," the store stated in the release.

Menards offers a wide variety of non-perishable food items that can be donated to the food pantries, from boxes of cereal to cans of soup that can be found in the grocery department for immediate donation.

The donation drop site is inside the store near the entrance marked "OUT" for easy access to customers bringing in items and for those who want to buy food at Menards and leave it on their way to the parking lot.

According to a state-by-state list provided by the company, the Mentor location is one of 32 Menards stores in Ohio and the only one in Lake County.

Assistant General Manager Sarah Kays said Menards has been serving as a drop site for local food pantries and food banks for several years and that it is something the company believes in to try to give something back and help when possible, whether it is a food drop or other charitable efforts.

"We try to work with different sectors of the community and do our part," Kays said. "It is important to us."