LaGRANGE — Prosecutors and staff in the Troup County District Attorney’s office are working themselves into a frenzy this week, and they are hoping the community will help them out.

Starting today, (April 25) the group is collecting cans and nonperishable food for the Georgia Legal Food Frenzy.

“Hunger is a problem everywhere and Troup County is not immune,” said Assistant District Attorney Brett Adams. “While summer means pool parties and vacation for many of us, it also means the loss of school lunches that a lot of children depend upon to eat. If we could get even half of the citizens of Troup County to donate a pound of food, we could make a serious dent in the hunger problem in our area … the food is all brought to one of the local food banks, meaning a food bank that actually helps the citizens of Troup County.”

According to Georgia’s Food Bank Network, about one in four children — 28.2 percent — in the peach state do not have enough to eat. The organization also stated more than 1.8 million Georgians need food assistance every year.

“The D.A.’s office, and especially District Attorney Pete Skandalakis, has always taught us to seek justice,” Adams explained. “Justice is found not only in the courtroom, but also outside of it. The food drive is just one of the ways that we’re trying to reach out and help the community outside of the courthouse doors.”

The Food Frenzy food drive runs through Friday, April 29. Participants can drop off nonperishable food items 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the District Attorney’s office on the third floor of the Troup County Government Center.

Adams said they will also accept monetary donations.

“Food banks have great spending power, so $1 to a food bank equals the purchasing power of about 4 pounds of food,” he explained.

Here is a list of some of the nonperishable items most needed by local food banks:

• Peanut butter.

• Canned tuna.

• Canned beans.

• Canned soups.

• Stews.

•.Pastas.

• 100 percent fruit juice.

• Canned fruits.

• Canned vegetables.

• Macaroni and cheese dinners.

• Low-sugar cereals (boxed).