PEA RIDGE — Curves of Pea Ridge is encouraging women in the area to show their philanthropic strength by participating in the annual Curves Food Drive. Even though donating food to families in need is its own reward, the club is offering compelling incentives for both existing and potential members who participate.

From March 1 to March 31, Curves will collect nonperishable items and monetary donations for food banks in the local area. The goal, according to Debbie Bise of Curves of Pea Ridge, is for the community to come together to help families in need.

“At the core of our business is the message that women are stronger when they rally together, and that is the point we hope to bring home with our food drive,” Bise said. “We want to show our communityjust how powerful the generosity of our members can be.”

According to Bise, members who donate a bag of groceries or make a minimum donation of $30 during the month of March will receive a reusableCurves grocery freezer bag for free. Non-members who do likewise between March 8 and 20 can join Curves for free. Curves will waive the cost to join.

Bise says that as part of this effort, Curves of Pea Ridge will be participating in a company-wide contest for the most food drive donations collected by Curves locations across the nation.

Winners will receive one of several cash prizes to be donated to their local food bank. Each year, Curves locations collectively donate millions of pounds of foodto feed the hungry.

“We hope women in the Pea Ridge area will come together and participate in this initiative,” Bise said.

“Even if you’re not thinking about joining a gym, you can still drop off your donations. There are so many families - right here in our own community - who need our help.”

For more information about Curves of Pea Ridge, located at 1136 N. Curtis Ave., and the Curves Food Drive, contact Debbie Bise at 451-9040 or 9748WG7@ curvesmail.com.

Area, Pages 10 on 03/03/2010