To only have three letters, “can” is a small word that has the biggest of impact.

“Can” is the difference between changing the world and giving up. That simple word is the difference between doing something positive and doing nothing at all.

But right now, “can” also has a literal definition in that the community needs the plural of this — cans — to feed those in need.

Fittingly, it is a group that serves men and women who always strive to show exactly what they “can” do that is leading the way.

The Lawrence County Board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities is hoping the MRDD Can! Food drive will help four area food pantries feed hundreds of those in need.

Last year’s collections of 3,500 food items set the bar high and it will take a community-wide commitment to make this project a success, something that it truly needs to be in these difficult economic times.

MRDD is leading the way but thankfully the organization has its share of partners. Items can be donated at Briggs library branches in Ironton, Chesapeake, Proctorville, South Point and Willow Wood, Bartram’s Grocery in Ironton, the Knights of Columbus in Ironton, ResCare Home Care in Coal Grove and Chesapeake, the Moose Lodge in Ironton, Jo Lin Nursing Home in Ironton, Abbott Home Care in Coal Grove, Sugar Creek Christian Academy in Ironton and Freedom Baptist Church in Ironton.

If those locations don’t work for you, stop in right here at The Ironton Tribune and help us fill our big yellow barrel.

We’ll even give you a free newspaper any day that you come in with a donation. It’s not much, but good deeds like this shouldn’t really require a reward.

For just a little bit of change or by simply cleaning out the pantry, everyone can make a contribution of canned food or non-perishable food items.

The four food pantries are at First United Methodist Church in Ironton, the Church of Christ in Ironton, New Hope United Methodist Church in Proctorville and the Community Mission Outreach in Chesapeake.

For more information call Sarah Diamond Burroway at (740) 532-7401 or Candy Cochran at (740) 532-1234.

This food drive began in March as part of MRDD Awareness Month, but it won’t end until later this month.

Don’t for one second think that this is just an Ironton project or something that only affects a small segment of Lawrence County.

In today’s tough economic climate, hunger is a problem that crosses all boundaries and reaches across all of Lawrence County.

It isn’t too late. Each and every person really “can” make a difference in more ways than one.

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Ironton Tribune. To reach him, call (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.com.