YAKIMA, Wash. -- Amid a slowing economy and a national recession, the largest food drive in Yakima -- Operation Harvest -- saw more people than ever give during Saturday's annual event.

Organizers of the annual event took in more than 144,000 pounds of canned food and other non-perishable items Saturday afternoon, surpassing the past two years by more than 10,000 pounds, said event chairman Andy Martinkus.

"When the community needs it the most, this community steps up," he said. "Always does."

Meanwhile, a similar food drive some 40 miles away in Ellensburg brought in roughly 4,000 pounds of nonperishable food items the same day and about $410 in cash donations.

Organizers of the Yakima food drive had a goal of collecting about 140,000 pounds of food this year, and about $40,000 in cash donations, a $10,000 increase from last year's goal.

"The demand is up from prior years," he added. "The economy is not as good, so we set our goals higher."

Cash donations that come from individuals and collection jars set up at various businesses won't be tallied until later in the week, he said.

"At some point, we'll know," he said. "But we feel strong about it."

Donations kept some 400 volunteers busy. Some went door-to-door while others transported donated items from drop-off spots. Food was trucked from more than
100 routes covering Yakima, Selah, Naches and Moxee.

In the Salvation Army parking lot at the corner of Sixth and Yakima avenues, volunteers labored to unload, stack and box food that was trucked in.

"We had cars lined up through the alley out into Fifth Street blocking traffic," Martinkus said.

The food will go to eight local food banks, he said.

This is the 27th year the three rotary clubs in Yakima have organized the food- gathering event.

But this year was the first time the event was held in Ellensburg, a city of about 17,000 people. There, more than 55 volunteers were lured to the event in an effort to stock a local food bank.

Although organizers there didn't reach their goal of taking in 10,000 pounds of food, it still was a positive outcome and will become an annual event, said event coordinator Gary Jones.

"It was quite a learning experience for us," he said. "A very positive experience for us."

* Phil Ferolito can be reached at 509-577-7749 or pferolito@yakimaherald.com.