There are only a few days left to participate in Hecla Water Association’s food drive, and the business is encouraging the community to give one last boost of support.

According to Tony Howard, foreman at Hecla Water, the employees have an internal food drive each year, but decided to open the effort up to the public. The drive, which began Nov. 12, ends Wednesday.

Despite the month-long effort, Howard said giving has been low. A box trailer sits in front of the offices at 3190 State Route 141. The goal was to fill the trailer.

“The giving is down quite a bit,” he said. “We’ve had a few, but we are less than half of what we were hoping to get.”

All the food donated will be delivered to the Ironton City Welfare Mission and the Central Christian Church food pantry.

“We just want to help,” Howard said. “We don’t expect everyone to do something. If they can, it would be really appreciated.”

During the holidays, many churches, civic groups, businesses and organizations have food drives, and Howard said he realized people may not be able to give to multiple causes.

To entice community support, three $50-value prizes are up for grabs to anyone who donates 12 or more items to the drive.

“We are a local company,” Howard said. “Maybe some of the people we are helping are customers. We do take from the community but we also want to give back. If some of this food ends up to some of our customers, that just makes it all nicer.”