The Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency's food drive delivered more than 1,000 food items to local food pantries.

Food banks in Utica, Rome, Herkimer and Camden benefited from the agency's first-ever food drive.

The drive was organized to help make up for the cancellation of this year's U.S. Postal Service food collection.

MVCAA Deputy Director Rick Weltz says the food drive will become an annual event.

"We were extremely pleased with our first year results," he said. "The generosity of people--they came they donated nicely to us, and I know the food pantries were happy as well."

Weltz says next year, he would like to see double the amount of food collected this year.

More From WIBX 950