Operation Rock Out Hunger is kicking off Monday in the Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital parking lot.

As part of the fundraising event, 97 Rock’s DJ Jickster will live in a Feedmore Western New York trailer for a week, collecting food and monetary donations for families in need.

“It is really a wonderful way to support our hungry neighbors in need,” Catherine Shick, Feedmore WNY public relations manager, said. “This is the 17th annual Rock Out Hunger and we are actually going to be out here through 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22 collecting donations of food, fun and turkeys to help feed families in need. DJ Jickster lives in this truck here all week long and you can pull up with your donations. We do have volunteers here for the majority of the day, so you don’t even have to leave your car if you don’t want to. You can just pop your trunk, the volunteers will take your donations out of your car and you can be on your way.”

In the past decade, Rock Out Hunger has raised more than $65,000 and collected more than 80,000 pounds of food for Feedmore WNY.

“This is an absolutely critical drive," Shick said. "Unfortunately, there are so many people out here who are facing food insecurity and we are currently looking at one in eight people who are struggling with hunger right here in Western New York in our own backyard. For children, it’s even worse – one in five face food insecurity, so there is a tremendous need out there and events like Rock Out Hunger make it possible for Feedmore to continue to feed families who are struggling. We really do need the support of the community to come out with those donations so we can ensure that no one has to go hungry during the holidays or anytime.”

Shick says that, even with the impending snowstorm on tap for most of Western New York, volunteers will continue to be out at Rock Out Hunger. You can also donate online at feedmorewny.org.