Can collection helps area food pantries

A kickoff ceremony held recently at the Little Country Store, near Procter & Gamble at 7742 Highway 177 in Jackson, made Can-Power '08 an official food drive site that will collect any nonperishable food goods from now until Dec. 31. A goal of 15,000 cans has been set. There is also a collection box at the sponsor's location, Cape Manpower Branch Office, 909 Beavercreek Drive, Cape Girardeau, off Mount Auburn Road.

Little Country Store owner Jack Cook was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his support as a collection site. Manpower representatives and coordinators and Bootheel Food Bank representative Joe Marvel and Joe Mills were present at the kickoff. A $25 gift card from the Cape Girardeau Manpower office was presented to the Bootheel Food Bank. Cash donations or checks made out to Bootheel Food Bank are accepted and may be dropped off at the Cape Girardeau Manpower office.

The Bootheel Food Bank helps overcome hunger in 16 Southeast Missouri counties, including Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry and Scott.