Dylan Houck has gotten much older, but his urge to feed those in need hasn't gotten any weaker.

Dylan was a 4-year-old when he started his annual Helping Hunger Food Drive in 2015. He collected 400 pounds of food over two weeks in his inaugural effort.

Dylan, now 15 and a freshman at Pequea Valley Secondary School, is aiming to collect 20,000 pounds of food for the Chester County Food Bank (CCFB) in this year's drive.

"Children in the summer whose parents can't come home from work and feed them, they don't really know where their next meal is coming from," Dylan said. "They don't even know when they'll eat next."

Dylan, the son of Jackie and Thomas Houck of Gap, is joined in the effort by his two younger brothers, Wesley and Tyler. Last year, the family delivered 19,360 pounds of food to CCFB in early May.

The effort began in 2015 when a power outage sparked a conversation about lost food. When Dylan's parents explained to him that not every family could just go out and get more food, Dylan didn't sleep too well that night.

"I woke up the next morning still pretty upset," said Dylan, whose parents suggested they get some food and donate it to a food bank. "Then I started naming all of my little preschool friends, asking if they could come and do it as well ... It's kind of ramped up every year from there."

Since then, Dylan has collected and donated 62,756 pounds of food to CCFB and other local entities.

This year's drive began on April 13 and will run through Wednesday, May 13. On weekends, Dylan and his brothers will set up shop at a local grocery store and ask shoppers to donate items.

"The Grocery Outlet and Dutch-Way are usually pretty big supporters," Jackie said. "We just hand people slips of paper on their way in, and then they do their shopping and then hand the groceries to us on the way out."

New for this year's drive, the family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy additional food, the idea being that the money will allow the family to buy food in bulk and save some funds that way. The family has also reached out to businesses, schools and sports teams to join in on the effort.

To donate to Dylan's effort, visit http://www.gofundme.com/manage/join-dylans-mission-to-fight-hunger. Those interested may also drop items off at Keller Williams, 131 Woodcutter St., Suite 100, Exton.

Items needed for this year's drive include peanut butter and jelly, beans (especially black beans), rice, tomatoes/sauce, oils, mayo, spices, canned tuna and chicken, juiced canned fruits, applesauce, pasta, macaroni and cheese, individual bottled water, granola bars, personal hygiene items like deodorant and toothpaste, feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads, diapers, toiletries like toilet paper and tissues and cleaning supplies.

While the drive is underway, some of the food is kept in the family's garage, while the rest of it is held in storage units or in trailers.

The food will be delivered to CCFB on Thursday, May 14, as part of a "Red Day" collaboration with Keller Williams Real Estate in Exton, where Jackie works. Agents from Keller Williams take the day off to help the family box up the food and deliver it to the food bank.

"One of the things that's really important to Dylan is making sure that people recognize that there's a need," Jackie said.