This is the season for helping needy friends

This is the time of year when we think a lot about helping our needy friends and neighbors. As we get deeper into the holiday season, many of us will drop money into kettles manned by bell ringers, write checks and donate food.

Thankfully, generosity is doing well in Southeast Missouri. Churches and charitable organizations have been reporting strong support from donors throughout the year. This year's level of holiday giving is likely to show similar strength.

But throughout the year -- and particularly as Thanksgiving and Christmas are approaching -- there are always special needs that deserve our attention.

One of the most visible is the Salvation Army's annual Thanksgiving dinner, which is open to anyone and relies on donated food and volunteer cooks and servers. If you can help, call the Salvation Army at 335-7000.

The Salvation Army and other organizations also collect food to be distributed to the needy. In particular, the Salvation Army strives to make sure needy families have food for a special holiday meal.

Among those food pantries are those operated by FISH and Red Star Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. Anyone interested in helping can call FISH at 334-0207 or Red Star Baptist at 335-3381.

Boy Scouts put plastic bags on doorknobs last Saturday in hopes they will be filled with canned goods in time to be picked up this Saturday. This food will be distributed to area food pantries.

Classes at Notre Dame Regional High School recently competed to see which class could collect the most canned goods for FISH.

In addition to canned goods, the pantries need pasta, mixed vegetables, crackers and peanut butter. These organizations depend on holiday food drives to stock shelves to last through most of the winter.

Most of us have plenty to eat, and we would be surprised by how many less fortunate individuals and families struggle to have enough food to eat. They are the beneficiaries of the kindness and donations made by so many giving and caring people.

If you haven't already made a donation for the Salvation Army's Thanksgiving meal or to one of the local food pantries, this would be a good time to do it. Many of you, of course, will make several donations, because you understand the needs of others are willing to help whenever you can.

It has been said many time, but it bears repeating: The biggest gift is giving. In so many ways, the rewards of helping others are huge. Please help if you can.