DeKALB | Instead of buying chocolates or roses, the DeKalb Area Association of Realtors plans to give a “Gift from the Heart” this February.

Heather Wiedrich, DeKalb Area Association of Realtors executive vice president, said they started the “Gift from the Heart” food drive seven years ago after the holiday season.

“After the holidays are over, there is usually a shortage of food,” Wiedrich said.

The drive is set to conclude near the end of February.

“We usually do not have a lot of people donate food until the last few days of the drive,” Wiedrich said.

Because the drive began 10 days ago, the association has only collected about two brown paper bags full of food, Wiedrich said.

“There is an awful demand for food, especially with the economy the way it is,” said DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen.

Povlsen said food drives have a positive effect on the community.

“I applaud those organizations that help out the community in this way,” Povlsen said.

The DeKalb Salvation Army, 1814 Sycamore Road, will receive some of the food from the drive.

“We are always looking for donations; there is never an end to the need,” said pantry coordinator Gary Billings.

The pantry relies partially on donations from drives to help the poor, but they also buy food from the Illinois Food Bank.

“We can buy food from the Illinois Food Bank for basically the cost it takes to make it,” said Billings. “That’s why we greatly appreciate monetary donations.”

The Salvation Army provides food for many DeKalb residents every month, even though the number often changes.

“In November of last year, we provided for 700 households [or] about 2,400 people,” Billings said. “In December, it was about 660 plus that we gave food to,”

In addition to its open invite for food donations, the association will be at several locations for a shopping day.

“We will be in the grocery store and will take donations from anyone who wishes to buy some groceries to give away,” Wiedrich said.

The association will take donations from 1 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 19 at Jewel-Osco, 1320 Sycamore Road in DeKalb, and Browns County Market, 403 E. State St. in Sycamore.