New London — Longtime community service volunteer Michelle Allen is hosting a food drive and farewell gathering on Friday for Inauguration Day.

"Thank You for Eight Years" will benefit the Gemma E. Moran United Way Food Center. Allen said she has held benefits on Martin Luther King Day in both 2009 and 2013 to honor President Obama's dedication to community service.

Allen has run blood drives, food drives and other events to benefit the community for more than 20 years. Even though her 2015 "Mommy I'm Cold" event, which collected winter apparel for children in need, was her last event for the community, she wanted to do one more.

"I wanted to do it on Inauguration Day so I could say thanks to President and first lady Obama," she said. She found no one locally was running anything on Friday because most people in the area were holding their Day of Service events on Monday for Martin Luther King Day.

Allen will be collecting nonperishable food items at the gathering from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 64 Mountain Ave., New London. Food and refreshments will be provided by Filomena's and Daddy Jack's.