Santa Claus is coming to town. But this time around, St. Nick will be decked out in a Hawaiian shirt and sunscreen. “Christmas in July, A Texas Tech Physicians Food Drive,” will benefit the South Plains Food Bank in hopes of bringing much needed food items to those in need during the summer months. The food drive will run from July 5 - 29.

The South Plains Food Bank serves more than 9,000 families in need every month. Matt Driskill, Texas Tech Physicians – Surgery administrator, said this has been a unified effort to help end hunger on the South Plains.

“We always hear of the great efforts made during the Christmas holidays, but Texas Tech Physicians wanted to have an internal competition to help the South Plains Food Bank during the summer months,” Driskill said. “Each week the various Texas Tech Physicians departments will focus on items most needed by the food bank.”

The following is suggested for each week:

July 5-8: Canned fruits, veggies and soups

July 11-15: Canned meats

July 18-22: Peanut Butter

July 25-29: Canned foods, money

A Christmas in July beach party will conclude the month-long food drive from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday (July 29) at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Academic Classroom Building courtyard, 3601 Fourth St. A presentation will be made to the South Plains Food Bank at 2:30 p.m.

Driskill said organizers wanted to celebrate the food drive’s success with a luau. Texas Tech Physicians employees will gather to have summer fun with fun games and refreshments to raise more money for the food bank.

“We have had wonderful support from everyone wanting to give back to our community,” Driskill said. “The South Plains Food Banks’ theme is Together We Can End Hunger. I think Christmas in July is a perfect example of how Texas Tech Physicians is giving back and working together.”