The first 2014 “Buy One, Bring One” (BOBO) collection of food for Somerset County families and individuals in need will be held Friday, Jan. 17.

“The holidays are over but the everyday demand at the Food Bank Network of Somerset County is still high,” said Freeholder Patricia Walsh, who spearheaded the BOBO Fridays program.  “Employees and visitors to various county, municipal and library locations can help by dropping off non-perishables in any of the blue BOBO Fridays bins.”

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, Warren Township Library and Watchung Library.

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

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.