Now Holly Hulburt has even more reason to look forward to the beginning of the Kansas University basketball season.

His food pantry at the Salvation Army looks to fill up once again.

The pantry is among several in Douglas County poised to benefit from a food drive associated with Late Night in the Phog, KU’s annual season-opening practice and celebration.

Fans coming to Allen Fieldhouse for Friday’s free event – doors open at 5:30 p.m. – are being asked to bring nonperishable food items, to be collected by representatives from the Salvation Army and other food pantries.

The Salvation Army’s pantry has been open intermittently of late, said Hulburt, economic assistance case manager. The program normally serves 300 to 500 people each month, but was expected to be closed today because of a lack of food.

That should change after Friday night.

“Between the fact that there was a national title and the economy’s so bad, people should be aware of this need,” Hulburt said.

The pantry is separate from the agency’s kitchen, whose breakfast supplies were cleaned out during the weekend by a resident or residents at the agency’s overnight shelter, Hulburt said. The incident meant folks staying in the shelter didn’t get their usual continental breakfast Monday morning.

“We’re trying to take some steps to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” he said.

Drive participants Ballard Community Center and Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry report having adequate stocks available for distribution.