Hunger knows no season, and Bronco Federal Credit Union has been working to help fight the problem during a traditionally hard time.

“We have been told countless times that food banks are remembered during the holidays for donations, but this time of year can be a struggle for them to stay fully stocked,” chief executive officer Brian Hedgepeth said in a press release.

“This is the No. 1 reason that BFCU holds its annual collection drive for Franklin Cooperative Ministries in the late spring/early summer.”

This year marks the credit union’s fourth year of collecting food for FCM.

The first collection drive in 2014 resulted in 1,700 pounds donated, and the amount collected each year has steadily grown. The 2017 drive collected more than 7,000 pounds of food to feed people in Franklin and Southampton, meaning that, since 2014, Bronco has collected and donated more than 20,000 pounds of food.

“The food drive was a true community effort, and we appreciate that those who donated recognize the importance of keeping their donations local,” Hedgepeth said.

“We absolutely could not have done this on our own and are grateful for the help from our members, staff and local businesses.”

The food drive is part of BFCU’s new initiative, Bronco’s Helping Hands, which  started in January and has credit union employees performing acts throughout Franklin and Suffolk to show their support and to offer kindness.