Five grocery stores throughout Tracy are hosting a weeklong food drive as part of a countywide hunger awareness campaign.

San Joaquin County’s year-old Hunger Task Force organized the drives for the week of June 3 through 6 because spring and summer are usually a dry season for food donations.

Donation barrels will be placed outside Albertson’s, Grocery Outlet, Food Maxx and both Save Mart stores in Tracy during Hunger Awareness Week.

Donations in Tracy will be given to Tracy Interfaith Ministries, the nearest food bank.

The local nonprofit serves more than 750 families a month, spends between $6,000 and $7,000 a month on food and receives most of its donations during the end-of-year holiday season.

Darlene Quinn, who works for the 19-year-old ministry, said the activities organized by the task force help organizations like Tracy Interfaith garner more donations and direct the community’s attention toward an ongoing problem.

“Hunger is a constant concern for many families in Tracy,” Quinn said, “and events like this don’t just bring in more food for us, they raise awareness. There are so many families in Tracy who go hungry every day.”

Tracy Interfaith Ministries also provides clothing, toiletries and other essentials to Tracy families with proven need.