As the tentacles of economic woe tighten their grip around Peninsula residents and San Diegans in general, at least one local fitness center is exercising its option to help others in need. The Sports Arena-area Curves will join sister locations throughout San Diego County in launching the 11th annual Curves Food Drive though the month of March. Nonperishable food items collected between March 9 and March 27 will go to fill the shelves of the San Diego Food Bank. Cheryl Hradecky, owner of the Curves on West Point Loma Boulevard, has been involved with the campaign since she opened the location eight years ago. This year, however, the bleak economic tailspin has Curves owners and customers even more eager to reach out. “We intentionally chose the San Diego Food Bank because it does give a higher priority to helping more localized groups,” Hradecky said. “So we will be seeing the benefit of this directly in our community. There will be a direct impact on our neighborhood.” The San Diego Food Bank cites a combination of rising prices, job layoffs, rising rents, home foreclosures and stagnant wages as the key factors that are forcing thousands of low-income working families, increasing numbers of middle class families and fixed-income seniors to turn to the Food Bank for help. Hradecky agrees. “There is no question this time around is very tough,” Hradecky said. “The need has definitely increased this year. There are a growing number of families whose main provider has lost a job … and many families who have lost homes.” Programs such as the San Diego Food Bank’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) illustrate the surge in demand. EFAP, intended for families in immediate need, increased by 21,043 people from January to December 2008. Last year, the Curves Food Drive collected almost 11 million pounds of food in communities across the world. This year, Curves representatives said they hope to collect 15 million pounds to help even more people. As she does every year, Hradecky has set a goal of 1,000 pounds of food. Customers have always donated generously and enthusiastically support the food drive campaign, Hradecky said. As an added incentive, Hradecky said anyone who brings in a grocery bag filled with nonperishable food during the drive can sign up for a 12-month membership and waive the signup fee of about $200. She said new members receive a figure analysis, a health history review, training and weight goals and a first workout. Last year, a quarter-million new members joined Curves during the food drive. In addition to food, baby items such as diapers and wipes are needed, said Curves officials. The Sports Arena-area Curves is located at 3960 West Point Loma Blvd. For more information, call (619) 222-8555, or visit www.sdcurves.com.