After two weeks of collecting donations, the 14th annual Holiday Food Pantry Drive is drawing quickly to a close. At 5:30 p.m. the results will be tallied, and the money will be readied for allocation.

Shannon Aker, president of Bank of Brookhaven, said he appreciates all who have donated to the drive this year.

“Every donation is valued,” he said. “Scripture says to feed the hungry and we’re trying to do that. This drive is something everyone can be a part of. Today is the last day of the drive but the giving doesn’t have to end today.”

Aker said monetary donations that are delivered to the bank or the newspaper after the deadline will still be distributed to the five food pantries. Organizations like the pantry at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church — which opened in 1989 — depend on the types of monetary contributions that the holiday drive helps raise to stay afloat throughout the year.

It also goes without saying that the hungry of Lincoln County rely on charities like St. Paul for sustenance, and — thanks to generous donations — the pantry was able to feed between 25 and 50 families per month last year.

Located at 508 N. Second St., St. Paul’s food pantry is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to Noon, and they are willing to open their doors any day of the week for emergencies.

The church says it is always looking for volunteers to help run its food mission, and anyone interested in lending a hand can call 601-833-8966 for more details.

The Holiday Food Pantry Drive is a joint effort between Bank of Brookhaven and The Daily Leader.

The money raised will be distributed among five area churches and organizations that work to feed Lincoln County’s hungry. Besides St. Paul’s, money goes to Bethel AME, St. Francis of Assisi/St. Vincent de Paul, The Greater Hope Foundation and Union Hall Baptist Church.

In the past, individuals have donated more than $9,000 annually in support of the drive.

Donations will be accepted today at the newspaper until 5 p.m. and at the bank until 5:30 p.m.

Story by Trapper Kinchen