By BECKY CRISSMAN

becky.crissman@cordeledispatch.com

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,  I was a stranger and you invited me in, Matthew 25:35

CORDELE  — Fall is approaching and pretty soon the holiday season will be upon us.

Each year. The Concerned Citizens that Care, a local civic organization, sponsors a food drive to provide boxes of food for citizens in need at Thanksgiving. They are reaching out to the community for donations to assist with this year’s drive.

“We are trying to get a jump start this year because the number of families in need has increased,” said Johnny Dennis, President of Concerned Citizens that Care. “This year we will also be accepting donations of dog and cat food that will go to benefit the Lake Blackshear Dog Rescue and the Cordele Animal Shelter operated by the police department.”

Dennis and his wife Barbara, who is Vice President of Concerned Citizens that Care have been coordinating the food drive for 14 years. Each year, Dennis says, they are able to serve more people. In 2015 they distributed over 130 boxes of non-perishable food items to families in need within the community.

“I am from Cordele,” said Dennis. “This is home to me and the food drive is just my way of giving back to my community.”

There are already several drop off locations for the food drive. Citizens can drop of their non-perishable food items, dog food and/or cat food at one of the following locations; The Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce office, State Farm Insurance, Halls Cleaners, Bandey and E Used Cars, and The Cordele Dispatch office. When dropping off a donation citizens can fill out a ticket to be entered for a chance to win a $50 gas card.

For more information contact Johnny Dennis at (229) 322-8163.