JAY – A Soup and Chowder Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at Otis Federal Credit Union to raise awareness and money for the Maine Credit Union Ending Hunger in Maine campaign.

The food pantries are seeing a bigger demand because people are having to choose between buying heating fuel, medications and food.

OTIS FCU is also selling wooden roses for Valentine’s Day, with the proceeds going to Ending Hunger.

In 2007 Maine credit unions raised more than $366,000 for the campaign. Because of special buying power through the Good Shepherd Food-Bank, the local pantries can purchase items at 16 cents a pound.

The food bank announced last week that it is cutting the price to 13 cents a pound through February to help with the growing demand on the pantries. More information can be found at www.gsfb.org.