Last week, the Rev. Rob Hale, the pastor of First Church of the Nazarene in Ironton, stopped by our newsroom to bring to our attention to need for donations to Harvest for the Hungry and Central Christian food pantries.

Located on Fifth Street in Ironton, Harvest serves, on average, 1,500 people per month, 200 of whom are senior citizens. Nearly one third of those served by the pantry are children.

Hale said he was informed that, this summer, the pantries have had many empty shelves and are in need of several items.

In particular, meat donations are needed. Hale suggested local hunters assist with this need.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are also needed, and he said many with gardens this summer could help there.

Donations to food pantries tend to drop in the summer months, when the holiday season and its sense of charity fade from the public’s mind.

It is good of Hale to raise this issue and highlight this need and we encourage all who can to make a donation to the food pantries.