In an effort to catch up with last year's food bank figures, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting the "Christmas Gift for the Needy" food drive today.

At this time a year ago, the Utah Food Bank had collected more than 830,000 pounds of food. Currently, the bank has only 664,000 pounds and has a goal of collecting 1.5 million pounds of food before the holiday season ends.

Church leaders sent out a letter asking for members' help last Sunday, and the food will be collected today. Donors may drop off a bag with canned and nonperishable food at any of the following locations: Utah Food Bank, emergency food pantries, Jiffy Lube, Smith's Food & Drug, Riverton Motors or Wells Fargo Bank.

The food bank is in need of high-protein food such as canned meats, tuna, stews, peanut butter and chili.