MISSISSIPPI — Volunteers are packing food boxes this week as part of Extra Table’s annual March of the Mayors campaign, a statewide effort to fight hunger across Mississippi. 

In Pascagoula, a Food Box Packing Party is taking place from March 2-4 from 9 a.m. to noon. The packing effort follows weeks of collection drives and fundraising events that wrapped up Feb. 27. 

March of the Mayors began on the Gulf Coast and has expanded to more than five regions, including the Delta, north Mississippi, the Jackson metro area and the Pine Belt. Participating cities were each assigned specific canned goods to collect — Gulfport and Hattiesburg gathered peanut butter, while Pascagoula collected canned tuna. 

Martha Allen Price, executive director of Extra Table, said mayors play an important role in raising awareness about food insecurity in their communities. 

She emphasized the campaign is not just a canned food drive but a strategic fundraiser. Items are selected intentionally to meet the needs of partner food pantries. 

Cities also found creative ways to encourage donations. Gulfport Elementary School students recorded a fundraising video, Sumrall hosted a concert, and Laurel organized a friendly competition between its police and fire departments for the “tuna trophy.” 

Extra Table partners with local food pantries statewide and distributes between 10,000 and 12,000 food boxes each year. 

For more information on volunteering or supporting the campaign, visit the Extra Table FEEDS website.