DIXFIELD — Barbara Lane was overwhelmed with the response to her local food pantry drive last week.

In five hours, with her business van parked in the Log Cabin Craftworks parking lot, more than $528 and 351 food items were donated.

She was particularly pleased with the number of youngsters who brought three food items to the van. “That was so touching, more than anything,” she said.

Lane, who owns Hot Colors Screen Printing and Design in Norway, gave out T-shirts with an original Christmas design to the first 125 people who donated $5 or three food items.

Eastern Star members Rheanne and Bernard Frost and Lane’s mother, Elizabeth Lane, sorted the food as it came in. When 1 p.m. arrived, it was ready to be taken to the Mexico food pantry at the Congregational Church and the Dixfield food pantry at the Common Baptist Church.

Canned vegetables and peanut butter were among the most numerous donations. Four frozen turkeys were collected. Log Cabin Craftworks donated money for each purchase made at the store. Another portion of the money collected came from the sale of raffle tickets for an American Girl-type doll with two handmade outfits fashioned by Elizabeth Lane. The winner of the doll was Peru resident Alyssa Oldham.

The two food pantries are grateful for her efforts.

Sue Byam of the Mexico food pantry said Lane’s generous donation was among many made by schools and organizations in the area.

“This time of year, we have a lot more families. Each month, there have been 10 more families than the month before,” she said.

Despite the growing need for food, Byam said donations have kept up.

The Rev. Ken Hinkley, pastor of the Common Baptist Church, said the Dixfield food pantry had received strong community support from organizations and businesses. One individual donated 12 turkeys, he said.

“The people in this area are counter to the general overall atmosphere of the country,” he said.

The food pantry at the church has almost outgrown its space, Hinkley said. One of the church’s goals is to move out of the church and into a separate facility.

As for Lane, she is pleased that she could help.

“God willing, I plan to do it again next year,” she said.

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