A recent study pointed out that Mississippi was one of the least charitable states in the nation. The report runs counter to most every other piece of data about generosity. Most studies show that Mississippi is one of the most charitable states.

So why the discrepancy? It turns out, the most recent report used internet searches to determine which state was the most generous. It looked at keywords such as “best charities to donate to” and “places to donate to.” The states with the most searches for these words ranked higher.

That’s a ridiculous method, but it highlights an interesting fact about Mississippi. Magnolia State residents are indeed some of the most charitable in the country, but we don’t need Google to tell us who to give to.

We know where to send our donations, and at the top of most Mississippian’s list is church. That is typically followed by non-profits doing work in our communities.

Here in Lincoln County, there are plenty of groups soliciting donations. Many of them will use your donations to help locals. One effort that is worthy of your donation is the annual Holiday Food Pantry Drive.

The effort between Bank of Brookhaven and The Daily Leader raises funds for local food pantries.

Donors for the Holiday Food Pantry Drive have the option of giving in honor or memory of someone, anonymously, as a business or as an individual. The contributors’ names — unless requesting anonymity — and gift are publicized in the newspaper as they come in. A grand total of donations will be printed in each edition. The drive will end Dec. 14.

In the past, the funds have been divided between five area churches and organizations that provide food for those in need — St. Francis of Assisi/St. Vincent de Paul, Union Hall Baptist Church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, the Greater Hope Foundation and Bethel AME.

We encourage you to continue Mississippi’s tradition of generosity this Christmas season.