July is a hot time of year to donate to the Salvation Army in Albert Lea, according to a press release. Throughout July, a portion of donations will be matched through a grant from Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless.

Donors can either donate online or send a check marked “Open Your Heart” to the Salvation Army, 302 Court St., Albert Lea, MN 56007.

The Open Your Heart Summer Challenge was created to boost food shelf supplies during summer months, the press release stated. When school is out, donations to food shelves typically drop at a time when families who normally rely on free or reduced-price lunches have more meals to provide.

Last year’s Summer Challenge featured $90,000 worth of matching dollars distributed among 130 Minnesota food shelves that raised a total of nearly $1.5 million. The grant is carried out in partnership with Hunger Solutions of Minnesota.