SALEM -Weekly car cruises to support the Salem Food Pantry will begin May 22 and run through through Sept 25, according to Gene Johnson, coordinator of the events.

"We will be having car cruises at B.B. Rooners," Johnson said, adding the money and any non-perishable food can be donated at these events.

"This year the Salvation Army has joined in with the Salem Food Pantry so we will donate the money raised this year to the Salem Food Pantry," Johnson said, adding he hoped to get about 60+ cars each weekend.

The cruises will be held from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. each Saturday and entertainment will include bands and DJs.

Cruisers don't like rain so Johnson said they will be "shine only" and Saturday, June 26 will be skipped because of the Quaker City Weekend Cruise.

There will be 50/50 raffle drawing tickets which when purchased make the buyer eligible for the door prizes. Anyone can purchase the 50/50 tickets, not just people cruising.

"We have some pretty good door prizes," he said, adding organizers will be located under a canopy.

Johnson said they were asking local churches to come into the Hack, Steer & Co., LLC parking lot on N. Broadway Ave. at E. Second St. to conduct a silent auction or a Chinese-style auction.

"The Church that does the auction can keep that money for their own church food pantry, or if they want can donate to the Salem Food Pantry," Johnson said, adding this was another opportunity for larger groups to help raise funds for all the food pantries, in the area.

"We will advertise in Cruisin' Times Magazine to have people come as far as 50 miles away on these Cruise nights," he said.

The first cruise Saturday, May 22, is the same day as the West Branch High School Car Show in Beloit.

Registration for that event is from 3- to 4 p.m. and it will run until 6 p.m. There is a $5 registration fee for the show which will have dash plaques and goodie bags for the first 50 cars to register. There will also be trophies, concessions, 50/50 drawing, cookie walk, door prizes, kid activities. For more information, call 330-938-4475.