TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas leaders have kicked off a month-long food drive with the goal of bringing in 50,000 meals for needy families in the state.

Gov. Sam Brownback and Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman on Monday launched the "Neighbor to Neighbor" statewide food drive that will end March 19, which is Kansas Agriculture Day.

Donations to the drive can be left at Dillon's Food Stores and other locations across the state. The grocery store chain made an initial donation of 8,000 pounds of nonperishable food items Monday at the kick-off event in Topeka.

Brownback says the food drive won't end hunger in the state, but it's a start.

Harvesters, the Kansas Food Bank and Second Harvest Community Food Bank also are participating in the effort.