Editorials

Food drive: Need is growing, but you can help

Need is growing, but you can help

A few years back, when the seeds of a Complete the Mission Food Drive were first taking root, the idea was to make a difference as economic conditions seemed poised to be even more difficult for our region. Those already vulnerable to hunger were about to have an even greater need.

In many ways, those difficulties have only increased.

"The food for a lot of folks was getting tight, and the economy was beginning to change a little. It's gotten considerably worse over the past couple of years. The need for help is increasing tremendously," Bernie Lyons, commanding officer of the Mid-Ohio Valley Platoon of the Marine Corps Veterans Association, said.

This year's event will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, in the Marietta Times parking lot at 700 Channel Lane, Marietta. Donations will go to help the Gospel Mission Food Pantry, where Candy Waite says veterans make up a significant percentage of those who come in for help. But in August, Waite said of the 1,717 visitors, 83 individuals were first-time visitors.

"We provide food, we provide clothes, we provide shoes. Anything that we try to take care of ourselves with, we try to provide them with it," Waite said.

And it seems those in need of that kind of assistance are only increasing in number.

We know when the need increases, it goes hand-in-hand with a decrease in the flexibility some others have to give. But if you are able, stop by the Times parking lot Saturday with some food or toiletry items.

Lyons is correct when he says the newspaper wants to be part of meeting this need. But even with partners as dedicated as our local veterans groups and the Gospel Mission, we can't do it without you.

If you can't make it to Marietta Saturday, there will be another opportunity at the News and Sentinel parking lot Oct. 14.

Either way, we'll see you soon.