The annual Mountain Harvest Food Drive is still going on in our area. Several local grocery stores have set out their donation boxes, and now they just need items to fill them up!

Food City in Hazard is one of many stores participating in the Mountain Harvest Food Drive.

Store manager Carl Shepherd says, "We have neighbors I'm sure in all the areas of the community that need some help, and especially during tough times; money's tight."

Customers agree, and say they are giving back to try and help the less fortunate.

Angela Joseph says, "It's harder on people and it's not as easy for them to get out and do things and be able to afford things like they need to."

Mona Whitaker was donating items and says she's been on the other side of the fence before, so she knows what a helping hand can do.

"There's been situations that I've been in that I've had to have help," she says, "So, I know what it means to give."

The store manager says giving back is important in the spirit of the holidays, and at all times.

Shepherd says, "It's the right thing to do, for us all, as members of the community, for us all to chip in whatever we can just to help someone that's going through a tough time."

He says participating in the food drive is a good way for Food City to reinvest in the community.

The annual Mountain Harvest Food Drive is still going on tonight. Many grocery stores now have their food boxes out.

Donations at the Food City in Hazard are already piling up. People say they're donating because lending a helping hand is needed this time of the year more than ever.

The Mountain Harvest Food Drive helps low income families enjoy the holidays a little more, by putting food on their tables.

Mona Whitaker donates because of the need. She says, "There's so many people out there around Thanksgiving that haven't got food or even got money to buy food with."

People donating say it's important for the community to come together. Angela Joseph says, "Not just one person can help everybody, and if everybody will pitch in, it will be a lot less on everybody and will help a lot more people."

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, your help may make all the difference for some less fortunate families.

So, be sure to look for donation boxes at baskets at your local grocery store.

These are the participating store so far:

Leslie County:
Hyden Grocery
IGA
Save-A-Lot
Triple R General Store, Inc
Leslie County LKLP Office

Knott County:
Casey's IGA
Dollar General Store
Save-A-Lot
LKLP Knott County Office

Letcher County:
Whitesburg Food City
Whitesburg Food World IGA
Neon IGA
Jenkins IGA

Perry County:
Save A Lot
United Grocery
Walmart
IGA
Food City
Leeco Coal Co.
LKLP Perry County Office - Jeff, KY
LKLP Perry County Main Office - 2 Drop Boxes