The DAILY LEADER and the Bank of Brookhaven are continuing aholiday tradition of helping those in need through the food pantrydrive.

The drive, designed to help local charities stock their foodpantries for the holidays, will collect monetary donations thatwill be divided equally among the Brookhaven Outreach Ministry, St.Francis of Assisi/St. Vincent DePaul and Union Hall Baptist Church.These organizations will then use the money to purchase cannedgoods for distribution over the Christmas holidays.

“For the past few years, we have raised money for local foodpantries to make the holiday season a little easier for needyfamilies in the Brookhaven area,” said DAILY LEADER PublisherWilliam O. Jacobs. “We appreciate the dedication and support of ourreaders to help with families in need.”

The DAILY LEADER’s food pantry drive will collect donations ofmoney only; no food items will be accepted. The money gathered willgo to the Bank of Brookhaven, where it will be held and talliedbefore being distributed to the three food pantries.

Individuals and businesses that donate will be recognized eachday in The DAILY LEADER. Donations may be made in memory or honorof a friend or loved one, and anonymous donations are welcomed.Checks may be made out to the Holiday Food Pantry and can bebrought to The DAILY LEADER at 128 North Railroad Ave., or the Bankof Brookhaven, 411 Brookway Blvd. Donations will be accepted untilMonday, Dec. 17.

Since the newspaper and the bank began collecting money for thefood pantries in 2003, almost $20,000 has been raised. The twobusinesses have repeated the drive every following year except2005, when Hurricane Katrina forced its cancellation. The drive for2007 officially began on Friday, when the Bank of Brookhaven andThe DAILY LEADER each deposited $200 into the food pantryaccount.