Caring Day project set Nov. 2

By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
The city of Hartselle will expand its efforts this year in collecting food donations for the 6th annual Caring Day event to replenish items used in assisting hurricane evacuees.
Caring Day coordinators say food supplies at The Caring Place, which distributes food donations from the annual event, have been seriously depleted while assisting victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
On Wednesday, Nov. 2, the city of Hartselle, Hartselle Beautification Association and Allied Waste Services will collect canned goods for families in need. Residents are encouraged to place canned food by their recycling bins or bring canned food donations to the following locations: Hartselle City Hall, Hartselle Post Office, Hartselle Utilities, Hartselle Public Library, Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, or Hometown Grocery.
Groups, businesses and organizations can call Susan Seibert at City Hall at 773-0188 to obtain a recycling bin for participants to place food donations during the month of October. Volunteers will be available to pickup donations from these groups.
Hartselle City School System students will also have an opportunity to make Caring Day canned food donations for the first time this year when recycle bins will be placed on each campus Oct. 24-28.
"We're doing several things to make it easier for people to donate this year," Seibert explained. "We're getting the children involved this year, speaking to civic organizations, sending letters to churches, and providing many more convenient drop-off locations in case inclement weather hinders someone from leaving their donations by their recycling bin."
The Hartselle Rotary club kicked off the canned food drive recently with a $200 donation to Caring Day after a presentation on the event by Hartselle Beautification Association Director Carolyn Wallace.
All cash donations are used to purchase turkeys and hams for families in need.
According to Director Virginia Alexander, The Caring Place has assisted 1,308 families and 4,067 individuals since September 2004. Hurricane evacuees assisted recently by the organization include 17 families and 76 individuals.
Annual Caring Day donations provide holiday meals for needy families in Hartselle and southern Morgan County during Thanksgiving and Christmas.