ZELIENOPLE — Every third Tuesday of each month, the Southwest Butler Food Cupboard distributes food boxes to homes.

However, December is a busier month for the organization because of the holiday season.

The cupboard will prepare food boxes from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter’s Reformed Church in Zelienople. Food will be distributed about 7 p.m. that day.

“We’re planning to have around 100 households (to distribute to),” Executive Director Sharon Klaiber said.

The food cupboard began as a Christian outreach project in 1983 and serves Zelienople, Harmony, Jackson Township and Lancaster Township.

Food was initially provided on an as-needed basis, according to the cupboard’s website, but as the years passed the project expanded.

These churches comprise the food cupboard’s board: Calvin United Presbyterian Church, English Lutheran Church, Grace Church of Harmony, Harmony-Zelienople United Methodist Church, Park United Presbyterian Church, St. Gregory Catholic Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church, St. Peter’s Reformed Church and Zion Lutheran Church.

The cupboard rotates among the churches each month to prepare food boxes. Klaiber said more volunteers help during December.

Zion Lutheran is the centralized location of the food drive. Other churches contribute through financial donations and volunteers.

“Anyone at any time can volunteer,” Klaiber said.

She said about $1,000 worth of food has been donated so far for December’s distribution “exceedingly more” than in other months.

Items accepted by the cupboard include nonperishable foods such as canned goods, pasta, rice, soup, cereal and taco kits, among others.

A complete list of acceptable food can be found on the church’s website at www.zioninharmony.com/food-cupboard-current-needs.

Drop boxes are at Re/Max, Mathew Jewelers and Armstrong in Zelienople.

Others also are helping the food cupboard.

The Circle of Friends choir gave a performance to benefit the cupboard Friday at the English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zelienople.

The cupboard received a donation earlier this year of 420 pork loins from a meat delivery truck.

It also will host a “wish tree” program that delivers gifts to children.

The wish tree sent applications in October to parents who need additional help during the holiday season to give gifts to their children.

Church members volunteer to help families with gift ideas by sponsoring a child.

“That’s how the community gets involved,” Klaiber said.

Gifts will be brought to St. Peter’s Reformed Church to be prepared for delivery. From there, gifts will be given to parents.

More information on the Food Cupboard is at www.swbfoodcupboard.org or by calling 724-453-4184.