In an effort to collect canned and non-perishable foods for food pantries in Lawrence County, local businesses and groups have joined in with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for the annual Lawrence County Cram the Cruiser Food Drive.

“With the Thanksgiving holiday, a lot of food pantries will be running low for the upcoming Christmas holiday,” Sgt. Chris Smith, said. “The goal of the Cram the Cruiser campaign is to ensure food pantries have an abundance of food to distribute before Christmas and following the holidays during the winter months.”

The program is in need of peanut butter, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, tuna fish, dry pasta, canned soup and macaroni and cheese.

This year, the Highway Patrol has teamed up with Glockner’s South Point Ford, Armstrong Cable, Smith Insurance of South Point, the South Point Athletic Boosters and People for The Point Inc.

Anyone interested in assisting the program by making a donation can drop items off at any of the locations listed, as well as the Ohio State Highway Patrol office in South Point until Dec. 15.