COEUR d'ALENE - Last year, 2.3 million pounds of food went out of the Community Action Partnership food bank.

Sounds like a lot.

It is.

That number is up about 20 percent, nearly 500,000 pounds greater than 2010.

"It's crazy," said Carolyn Shewfelt, manager of the Community Action Partnership food bank.

So it's the right time for a program that aims to put a dent in meeting a rising need.

The fourth annual "Dump Hunger" food drive is under way, headed up by Western States and Albertsons, with a new partner this year, Wells Fargo.

Organizers say the goal is to generate awareness and fill the beds of four CAT 730 dump trucks by collecting 300,000 pounds of food.

Donations can be taken to Western States, 10780 N. Highway 95, participating Albertsons stores or Wells Fargo locations and online at www.westernstatescat.com/dumphunger.

The program runs through Feb. 10.

"This commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and serve is just as evident today, and we're excited to have the partnership of like-minded businesses such as Albertsons and Wells Fargo to take Dump Hunger to a new level," said Western States President Tom Harris.

Mike Clawson, president of Albertsons Intermountain West, said Dump Hunger has become a tremendous resource for fighting hunger.

Through the partnership and collaboration with Western States and other businesses across the region, they've raised more than a million pounds of food since Dump Hunger started.

"We look forward to building on that legacy this year," Clawson said.

Dana Reddington, Idaho Region president of Wells Fargo, said, "Dump Hunger aligns perfectly with our vision and values.

"We look forward to working with the great partners and community leaders to exceed campaign goals and truly make a difference in every community we serve," he said.

Dump Hunger seeks to collect enough food to fill the bed of four CAT 730 dump trucks, the industry's largest payload vehicle in its class, which are individually capable of holding 75,000 pounds of food.

The goal of the Dump Hunger campaign has increased by 75,000 pounds for 2012.

Shewfelt said this is the time of year, following the holidays, donations decline at the food bank. Demand, though, has not lessened.

"We have seen our numbers grow continually as more of our friends and neighbors find themselves in need of our assistance," Shewfelt said. "After the holidays our food banks resources are in the greatest need with the increased demand and decreased donations."