You can make a difference for a hungry child this summer by contributing to the Food Fight to Tackle Childhood Hunger. Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan's 17th annual food fight starts Monday and runs through July 29. 

Gleaners, which distributes more than 25 million pounds of food annually, said the annual food fight serves as a contest between businesses to collect food and dollars to help feed hungry children. Winners in each categorty are honored at a special luncheon and receive the traveling Madeline Kafoury Memorial Trophy to display for one year.

Businesses compete for the most food and dollars to help feed hungry children. Food donations may only include nonperishable items.

Every dollar donated provides a hungry child with food for one day, Gleaners said. Every three pounds of food donated also provide a child with food for an entire day.

The annual food drive has been supported by the City of Troy and many Oakland County businesses for more than a decade.

Area businesses, organizations and individuals are encouraged to donate to the food drive. Donations will go to benefit Gleaners, which in turn distributes food to more than 400 agencies to help area families in need.

Food collection bins can be found at east and west entrances of Troy City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver, the Troy Public Library, 510 W. Big Beaver and the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois.

Monetary donations also are accepted during the food drive, with checks made payable to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. Checks may be left at the Troy Community Affairs Department, located on the second floor of city hall. 

Gleaners is the third-oldest community food bank in the nation.