INDIANAPOLIS -- Hoosiers braved the cold Friday to collect groceries to help others in need in an event on Monument Circle called 40,000 Pounds of Giving.

The event proved quite an attraction, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

"What we're doing … is parking this 53-foot trailer right here on Monument Circle, and we're encouraging all Hoosiers to show up with canned goods, personal care items and new toys," said Carl Denny, of Ruan Transport.

People who dropped off donations didn't even have to get out of their cars. Collection boxes were set up all over the Circle.

Donations will be used to stock the shelves of food pantries throughout central Indiana. It will also help feed homeless people who turn to Wheeler Mission for a warm meal.

"We're serving well over 500 meals a day, especially this time of year," said Steve Kerr, chief development officer for Wheeler Mission. "We're sleeping more than 170 emergency shelter guys every night at this time of year."

Kerr said there are about 1,300 to 1,400 homeless people on the streets of Indianapolis.

"Another 4,000 to 7,000 … will experience homelessness this year at least one time," Kerr said.

Indiana First Lady Cheri Daniels joined the cause in an effort to encourage Hoosiers to give if they can.

"Get into the holiday spirit. Come down here. Donate a few cans of food and make your own holiday special by helping others," Daniels said.

Mayor Greg Ballard also supported the effort.

"The economic climate is still hurting people," Ballard said. "The pantries are going bare. Some of them are getting really low."

Donation drives were also planned Saturday in Greenfield and Sunday in Shelbyville. They will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Greenfield event will be held in American Legion Place, near the courthouse square. The event in Shelbyville will be in Public Square.