Campbell Chapel needs some new friends of its own to help with its Backpack Buddies program.

About to begin its second year, the program has tripled in size and now ensures that students in three districts have food to take home with them over the weekend.

Hunger continues to be an issue here in Lawrence County and many citizens take for granted what they have.

But the need is real. Just ask Jodie Hunt, program coordinator. Without school lunches and breakfasts, many youth in our area would struggle to get the nutrition they need. But that still leaves deficiencies at night and on weekends.

That is where Backpack Buddies comes in, but the organization needs help from the community.

The church is hosting a food drive all week and citizens can help out in several ways.

The food drive will run through Friday with drop-off barrels at various locations around Ironton, including Pick ‘N’ Save, Bartram and Sons and Foodfair in Coal Grove.

Other drop-off locations will be at Hecla Water, Upper Township Fire Station, St. Mary’s Medical Center in Ironton, Loan Central and Campbell Chapel.

The food drive will culminate with a community harvest day from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Just a small donation while grocery shopping or a few minutes cleaning out your pantry could make all the difference.