The Charleston Food Pantry hopes to bag a big donation by taking part in a $1 million giveaway to fight hunger.

Ember Zimmerman, the director of the Charleston Food Pantry, said the food pantry is helping the cause to end hunger in Charleston with the help of the Feinstein Foundation.

According to the Feinstein Foundation’s website, the organization will give away $1 million to food pantries nation-wide.

This is the Feinstein Foundation’s 15th consecutive year dividing $1 million among hunger fighting agencies.

Zimmerman said donations include cash, checks and food, with every single item valued at $1.

“We’d rather have money because I don’t have to sit and count $200, I have to count 200 items,” Zimmerman said.

The program raised more than $1.25 billion for more than 2,000 agencies and houses nationwide last spring.

“(The Feinstein Foundation) gives out the money depending on how many agencies around the country participate, the point is to get as many local donations as possible,” Zimmerman said, “We get more money from the community then we do from the foundation, but it’s a good way to motivate the community.”

According to a press release from the Feinstein Foundation, they will match donations, starting at a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $35,000.

All donations going towards the fund-raiser must be in by April 30.

“I have to keep track of every single can that is usable,” Zimmerman said. “That’s a lot of sorting and weighing.”

“It’s been a few years since we have taken part in this fund-raiser,” Zimmerman said. “This year we’re doing it, and we’re doing it in a big way.”

Zimmerman said she’s sent flyers to local churches and is doing everything she can to make people aware of the event.

“You don’t have to drain your bank account or become a philanthropist, just spread the word. Everybody can do something,” Zimmerman said.

Avery Drake can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].