CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Golfers at the Sugarloaf/USA Golf Club contributed more than 2,100 cans of food over the July 4 holiday weekend as part of the annual Tin Mountain Round Up, making it the largest summer food drive in the event’s four-year history.

One weekend each season the club offers golfers the opportunity to experience the course for $30 when they donate three canned food items. In celebration of the golf club’s 20th anniversary, the fourth annual Summer Tin Mountain Round Up, typically held in late May or early June, was moved to July 3 to 5.

“The 20th anniversary of the Sugarloaf Golf Course is a milestone that we want to share,” said Scott Hoisington, Sugarloaf’s director of golf. “This was also an ideal time to showcase our new clubhouse that was just recently completes and our golf course with mid-summer weather conditions.”

The generosity of golfers also comes at an ideal time for the United Methodist Economic Ministry, the organization that will distribute the food donations to deserving families in the community.

“This is a huge boost. We were down to bare bones,” said UMEM Administrative Assistant Crystal Cook. Large donations are received around the holidays and in the early spring but less is received during the summer. “The timing of this is perfect. We’re very grateful.”

The summer Tin Mountain Round Up is an extension of a winter tradition that began nearly 20 years ago. One weekend each winter Sugarloaf offers skiers discounted lift tickets in exchange for canned food donations. Between the two drives, Sugarloafers contribute more than 5,000 cans of food each year.