UNITED WAY, FOOD DRIVE CAN HELP US FEEL GOOD

People caring about people. That's the secret to the success of such community-minded programs as the Area Wide United Way and Scouting For Food.

The local United Way is on its way to a successful campaign thanks to a record-breaking employee donation at Procter & Gamble. Workers at the plant raised an impressive $103,000. Combined with a corporate gift of $46,900, this single donation amounts to about 32 percent of the total community goal of $470,000.

P&G's sizable gift has pushed the campaign coffers to 87 percent of its goal.

While the Area Wide United Way no doubt appreciates all donations, it's hard not to marvel at the singular generosity of this one business and its employees. They take community spirit to heart.

Their example could spur others to help raise the remaining $63,000. United Way officials are hoping to wrap up the campaign by the end of the month.

About 1,000 Shawnee District Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Explorer Scouts will join one of the nation's largest volunteer food collections Saturday.

Last weekend, scouts dropped off 35,000 empty sacks at Southeast Missouri homes. They'll return Saturday to collect filled bags.

Last year, the generosity of the region was abundantly clear. Our district scouts collected 76,580 cans of food for hungry families. Scout officials are hoping to surpass those numbers this year.

Nationally, Scouting for Food is expected to collect over 87 million cans. Since 1988, the national effort has collected an incredible 217 million cans of food.

One of the greatest strengths of Scouting for Food is that donations remain in the local communities. In that way, neighbor can help neighbor across Southeast Missouri.

Those individuals who didn't receive a collection bag can bring donations to the~ 4-H Barn, south of the Arena Building, in Cape Girardeau Saturday, or to the First Baptist Church in Jackson. In Scott City and Chaffee, collection points will be the fire stations.

People helping people is the secret to these community success stories. Through the Area Wide United Way or Scouting for Food, we can all make a difference. Donations made to these particular programs don't go to Washington to be funneled back through bureaucratic red tape. They stay here to help our own.

It feels good to give. Just ask employees at Procter and Gamble. Their generous spirit serves as an example to us all.