The Democratic Party of Oregon is re-mobilizing its general election grassroots campaign network into a holiday food drive, according to a release from the party on Thursday.

“The Democratic Party’s 2008 success wasn’t a movement just to win an election,” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. “It’s a call to restore our country. That restoration starts by helping our communities in need.”

According to the party, the canned food drive will begin this week and last through the end of the year. Volunteers will collect enough canned goods that the DPO estimates will help several hundred Oregon families.

“We’re steering that election excitement into community service. We’re turning election enthusiasm into support for our neighbors,” Wood Smith said.