Time is ticking down on the annual Cares & Shares food driver for the Cullman Caring for Kids foods bank.

The food drive, sponsored by The Cullman Times, has provided thousands of dollars and tons of food to help local families over the last decade through Cullman Caring for Kids.

The food bank at Cullman Caring for Kids has long been a non-profit operation that carefully screens families to ensure that they receive adequate amounts of food during difficult economic times. Local families are the focus of the food bank and money given through the food drive goes directly to buying groceries and necessities such as diapers for children.

Cullman Caring for Kids Director Javon Daniel said recent years have seen a rise in the number of families needing the service. Just a few years ago an average of 550 families were coming to Cullman for the service. The traffic now amounts to 650 families per month.

The greatest rise in those needing the service are grandparents and great-grandparents who are raising children. Many of them are on fixed incomes and were not expecting to be raising children again, but the practice is now common.

Young families struggling to get established also have need of the food bank. Many of those individuals may use the service a few times and get back on their feet, and often return later to offer to help or donate to the food bank.

The annual food drive is great opportunity for church congregations, businesses, government employees, civic organizations and individuals to make a difference in their community. Hunger is a problem for some families because of various circumstances.

The food drive concludes Friday at 5 p.m. Cash donations and non-perishable food items are needed to keep the food bank stocked through the winter months.

If you have not given, consider doing so. The money and canned goods will help families across Cullman County.

Any amount is welcome. A simple guide to monetary donations is that $1 buys seven pounds of food through the USDA food bank in Huntsville. Cullman Caring for Kids is licensed to purchase from the USDA food bank as well as locally to ensure that a balanced variety of food is available to keep needy families healthy.

In past years, individuals have given $100, $500 and sometimes more. Cullman High School students have given thousands of dollars, while many elementary school students have opted to conduct successful canned food drives to help.

Whatever is your choice for giving, hundreds of local families will be grateful and ensured of nourishing food.

We encourage as many people who are able to donate to Cares & Shares by stopping at The Times’ office by Friday. Caring for others in the community is what defines Cullman County’s character, and it has been shown many times that reputation is well deserved.