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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- A Heartland food drive ended Saturday but finished strong.

The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri held its “Stuff The Bus” event at Hy-Vee in Kirksville since Friday.

The event was for The Buddy Packs Program for kids who might otherwise go hungry take home a book bag filled with meals from school on weekends and during school breaks.

Mike DeSantis, Regional Coordinator for The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri said that the event was a big success thanks to word of mouth and people willing to reach out to help.

“I think there was more awareness. Articles and TV programs have been out the last few days emphasizing there's more hungry people. No one wants to see our children hungry. I think people have focused on what we can do?' Peanut butter. We needed peanut butter and people have come up with tons of it to donate. Honestly, the more I get to know the people of Kirksville, I see people have good hearts. I think they are all coming together.”

KTVO was a proud partner of the food drive.

This year, the food bank asked for peanut butter which is the most essential food for the program. About 3,000 jars were collected.