Thanksgiving assistance needed

Now that kids sweet tooths are satisfied by the candy handed out at Halloween, its time to call on Columbia County residents to consider donating more-nourishing food.

United We Care, a Grovetown agency that last year served 242 meals to underprivileged families at Thanksgiving, is seeking donations of turkeys and other holiday foods. I guess we need to start getting them pretty soon, because Thanksgiving will sneak up on us, says Bill Campbell, director of the food and clothing pantry.

Now in its eighth year of serving holiday meals, United We Care gets generous assistance from Grovetowns Department of Public Safety in delivering food to shut-ins during Thanksgiving. And the countys Department of Family and Children Services helps screen those seeking assistance to make sure they have legitimate needs.

Even in affluent Columbia County, those needs are there - especially in a time of economic downturn, when mighty Club Car has for the first time been forced to lay off workers this year. Campbell, like other such volunteers, worries that the recent terrorist attacks, in addition to hurting the economy and creating more need for basic charitable assistance, also tapped out citizens who donated to the victims funds.

The donations for United We Care dont have to be big, though; even a few dollars can be stretched a long way with help from the Golden Harvest Food Bank, and food donations go a long way in providing holiday meals.

Those who are willing to lend assistance to the admirable effort are encouraged to drop off monetary donations or turkeys at the agencys office at 101 Newmantown Road, across from the Grovetown Museum and adjacent to the old City Hall.

How to help:

Drop off donations at the United We Care office, 101 Newmantown Road, Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; or mail donations to 410 Creekside Drive, Grovetown, Ga., 30813. For more information, call 855-8852.