It’s Christmas.

There is no other time of year quite like Christmas.

You can see the excitement and happiness in folk’s eyes and hear it in their voices as they move around Brookhaven and Lincoln County. Most of us take for granted the meals and fellowship we will have with friends and family.

Some among us, if not for the generosity of others, may not receive that precious gift.

The Daily Leader and Bank of Brookhaven have for the past 10 years joined forces with five local food pantry ministries to create the Holiday Food Pantry. This community-based effort was created to help families in need during Christmas.

Shannon Aker, VP of Bank of Brookhaven said the idea of a fund was discussed among folks who saw a community need and decided that the bank and newspaper could sponsor a fund that would allow the community to help meet a need.

There was no goal set. Aker said the idea was that “lets see what the community wants to do.” And every year the total has grown.

Greater Hope Foundation, St. Francis Assisi/St. Vincent DePaul, Union Hall Baptist Church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and Bethel AME Church all have food pantries as part of their churches outreach and mission efforts. Quite simply, these local Christian organizations are very concerned for families that may not be able to enjoy Christmas without help from the community. Part of the joy of Christmas is sharing food with our families. These groups use all the money you donate to help local families. There is no overhead. Volunteers help all the ministries in preparing and distributing the food.

Contributions are coming in daily but at a slower pace than previous years. If you have not yet donated and would like to, the deadline is Friday, Dec. 19, 2014. This deadline will allow time for the donations to be divided and given to each ministry. They will use your donations to buy food for this Christmas.

Sunday school classes and churches are donating, and local businesses like Toyota of Brookhaven and its employees have brought checks, Civic Clubs like Brookhaven Alpha Lions Club and individuals have donated.

Christmas is many things to many people. Mainly though it is a time of giving, and with many families struggling it is important that those in the community who can donate do so.

Please make your check payable to Holiday Food Pantry and drop off or mail to The Daily Leader 128 N Railroad Ave., Brookhaven MS 39601 or the Bank of Brookhaven, 411 Brookway Blvd. Brookhaven, Ms, 39601.