Bronco Federal Credit Union is in the midst of a challenge to bring in 4,000 pounds of non-perishable food items by July 31.

Bronco has an annual food drive at Thanksgiving that last year donated almost 1,800 pounds of food to the Franklin Cooperative Ministries and the Salvation Army location in Suffolk.

While making the donations Bronco representatives learned that food pantries see an uptick in food donations during the holidays; however, they don’t get as many during the summer months.

CEO Brian Hedgepeth suggested a food drive during the summer months, especially after learning that the Virginia Credit Union League had chosen Virginia’s Food Banks as their designated charity for 2015.

To sweeten the deal, he offered to discount auto and personal loan rates by .5 percent to persons bringing 10 non-perishable items and by 1 percent for those bringing 20 items.

Bronco members and non-members have taken the challenge and have responded. During the first week of June, 375 pounds of food were contributed.

Customers can take non-perishable food items to any Bronco office. To watch the progress during the next two months, visit www.broncofcu.com.