The average mid-size sedan weighs 3,351 pounds. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average tractor-trailer combination weight is about 35,000 pounds and most payloads average about 40,000 pounds.

Those numbers tend to put things in perspective when you realize that it takes about 57,000 pounds of food to feed children enrolled in the Warren County School District BackPack program for one school year.

It’s that time of year to see which business can outstuff the others when it comes to filling backpacks with nutritious food that helps get students through the weekend.

The Rouse, Warren Times Observer and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania are again organizing the “Business to Business” Food Challenge benefiting the BackPack Program of Warren County. Participating businesses collect food and monetary donations and deliver their collection to the school district central office.

Last year a total of 5,442 pounds of food and $3,551.27 was collected. Organizers are hoping to exceed those numbers this year.

The Second Harvest Food Bank BackPack Program distributes packages filled with food to students each Friday prior to the end of school. The program helps approximately 350 students.

The most-needed items this year are breakfast items, canned pastas, soups and fruit cups — pop-up tops work best. Monetary donations are also welcome, with one dollar equal to one pound of food.

Once all donations have been collected, each will be weighed and the total poundage divided by the number of employees at each business. The top three businesses in small and large business categories will be featured in the Times Observer and receive a plaque. All participating businesses will receive a certificate of appreciation.

Businesses that would like to participate should contact Reyd Martin, Rouse life enrichment director, at 814-563-6475 or by email at rmartin@rouse.org. Food items should be dropped off at the area designated by each business. A point person will deliver the food to the school district central office on Friday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.