Smoky Mountain News

Haywood County businesses will join forces with MANNA food bank from June 15 to July 15 to help address hunger in the county through a program called Hunger Free Haywood.

To give, just look out for the red barrel posted outside or inside area businesses and organizations. They will be accepting food staples, which will then be distributed directly to the local food pantries and soup kitchens in Haywood County. Most needed items include canned meats, fruits and vegetables, dried or canned beans, box meals, juice, peanut butter, hearty soups, dry milk, cereals and grains. The goal is to collect 50,000 pounds of food as well as increase awareness about hunger in the county.

If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, stop by any Haywood County BB&T location for additional information.

In Haywood County, 16 percent of residents do not have consistent access to food and 29.8 percent of children experience hunger.

For a list of participating businesses and organizations, call the MANNA food bank at 828.299.3663 or the Haywood Chamber of Commerce at 828.456.3021.

www.haywood-nc.com or www.MANNAFoodBank.org.