As many enjoy the afterglow of a bountiful Thanksgiving and look forward to a joyous Christmas and New Year, it is a perfect time to remember those among us who may have far fewer reasons to be thankful and less hope for a prosperous future.

     With that in mind, The DAILY LEADER and Bank of Brookhaven have again partnered to promote the Holiday Food Pantry Drive. The drive kicked off Wednesday and will continue through Dec. 14.

     The drive has become an annual tradition, with previous efforts having raised a total of more than $60,000 to assist local food pantries.

     This year’s recipient ministries include St. Francis of Assisi/St. Vincent de Paul, Union Hall Baptist Church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, the Martha Sykes Widows and Orphans Center and the Greater Hope Foundation. Proceeds from this year’s drive will be divided evenly among the five organizations.

     As in years past, a tally of the donations received and the names of donors will be kept on the front page of The DAILY LEADER. However, donors may remain anonymous if they wish.

     Donations may be made at the bank or at the newspaper’s office.

     Despite some improvements recently, hard economic times continue to hit many of our fellow citizens in this community. The impact is especially tough during the holidays, when life’s demands increase and hopes for happiness are higher.

     The need for food pantry help is evident in this year’s newest participating agency: St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church.

     Normally, the St. Paul pantry is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. However, recent demand has prompted church volunteers to open Mondays and Thursdays as well.

     “We’ve been extending the hours recently because of the need,” said Sue Smith, a church volunteer.

     Participating food pantries have handled contributed funds differently over the years. Some have put the funds to use immediately to help meet the many needs of the holiday season, while others have used funds to restock pantry shelves in order to assist those in need after the first of the new year.

     Regardless of when they are put to use, food pantry drive contributors know that their donations are going to a worthy cause that truly aims to help those in need. That is certainly a big factor in the year-after-year success of the food pantry drive.

     The pantry drive is coming off another record-breaking year, and we are hopeful – thanks to the generosity of this community’s residents – that the trend continues in 2012.

     The contributions will certainly be appreciated by the recipient agencies and those they help on a daily basis.