Thanks to the generosity of individuals, businesses and otherorganizations, three local food pantries will be able to furtherassist those in need this holiday season and during the rest of theyear.

The DAILY LEADER and Bank of Brookhaven’s annual Food PantryDrive this year collected $5,200 to help food pantries atBrookhaven Outreach Ministries, St. Francis of Assisi/St. VincentDePaul Ministries and Union Hall Baptist Church. Checks for alittle over $1,700 each were distributed to the three organizationslate last week.

Some of the funds will be used to help citizens in need duringthis holiday season while other monies will go toward restockingpantry shelves in order to continue charitable effort later.

Regardless of when the donations will be put to use, none wouldhave been possible without the generosity of those who gave thisholiday season. On behalf of staffs at The DAILY LEADER and theBank of Brookhaven, thank you to all who gave to help those in needthis year.