Somerset County’s next “Buy One, Bring One” food drive is Friday, Feb. 15.

“To date we’ve collected almost 18,000 pounds of food,” said Somerset County Freeholder Patricia Walsh, who launched the BOBO Fridays program in 2010.  “There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from our residents and from county, municipal and library employees.”

Most-needed items include shelf-stable milk, canned meat and fruit, peanut butter and jelly, low-salt soups, cereal, rice and beans.  Canned or boxed food items are accepted.  For ideas about healthy foods to donate, go to http://bit.ly/FoodPantryDonations

Look for the blue BOBO Fridays bins at these county locations: Somerset County Administration Building, 20 Grove St., Somerville; Park Commission Headquarters, 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater; Lord Stirling Stable, 256 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge; and Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge.

Local libraries hosting the bins include the Bernardsville Library, Bound Brook Memorial Library, Bridgewater Library, Manville Library, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library (Rocky Hill), North Plainfield Library, Peapack-Gladstone Library, Somerville Public Library and Warren Township Library.

Towns that have BOBO Fridays bins in their municipal buildings are Bedminster, Bound Brook, Franklin, Green Brook, North Plainfield, Raritan and Watchung. 

Although the targeted collection schedule is the third Friday of every month, the bins are available every day, so donations may be dropped off at any time during regular business hours at all locations.