Pine River Shares is hosting its March food drive, and the Bayfield nonprofit is looking for breakfast item donations over the next few weeks.

“We always have a look at our stock in the pantry and figure out what we most need each month,” said Pine River Shares spokesman Paul Pavich. “This month, we have almost no cereal.”

Pavich said the kind of cereal does not matter. Donations of big bags of cereal or little boxes for children are always appreciated.

“We get those small boxes (of cereal) sometimes donated, but our donations this year are not anywhere near what they’ve been in the past.”

The organization is also looking for other breakfast food items, such as shelf stable milk, pancake and muffin mixes, syrup and oatmeal.

“We have none of those things right now, so anything helps,” Pavich said.

Donations can be dropped off during the month of March on Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Pine River Shares’ lobby at 658 S. East St in Bayfield or at the ELHI Community Center in Ignacio. Those bringing food items should not leave donations outside in the cold if they come before or after business hours.

“I suppose if things got really bad, they could call the office, and we can pick it up or they could bring it over or whatever,” Pavich said. “On Thursdays, I'm usually there until five. So if somebody came in after 3:00, I could accept it.”

Pavich said the organization changes what items they ask for each month to make sure they have a balanced inventory for those in need.

“We're trying to focus on something each month,” he said. “I think next month is going to be soup. Each month is a specific item or a couple of items, so we can keep the shelves filled. Anything helps, of course.”

molsen@durangoherald.com