Food drives are underway. Free Thanksgiving Day meal is planned.

With Thanksgiving just over a week away, many are thinking of full tables and full stomachs. But others are wondering how they will provide a meal, not just that day but other days.

A free Thanksgiving Day meal will be served at Mama Lisa’s Pizzaria.  Lisa Wilson and her staff will be serving the free meal beginning at 1 pm on Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving Day) at her restaurant next to Food Lion.

In an effort to help, three businesses are conducting food drives. Terry’s Pharmacy is holding a matching drive. For every nonperishable food item collected, Rissa Pryse, owner of Terry’s Pharmacy, will match the donation. She will also match any cash donations. The food drive at Terry’s lasts through next week with the food going to Food Life Services.  For more information call 423.562.4928.

The LaFollette Public Library is also helping. During the month of November late fees will be exchange for canned food.

It was project that started last year, and one that Nancy Green, LaFollette librarian brought back this year.

Patrons can have a $1 worth of fines forgiven with an item of nonperishable food. If less than $1 is owed, one item or can of food, will erase the fine.

Last year, around $50 was collected in “fines” but several people just brought food by the library to help with the project, Green said. “We got a ton of food,” she said.

At the end of the month, all food collected by the library will be donated to Open Arms Ministry to assist with its December distribution.

For more information call the library at 423.562.5154.

The annual Race Against Hunger campaign is underway at your LaFollette Food City along with all the other Food City locations.  Through Tuesday, November 27, $1, $3 and $5 scanable cards are available at each Food City checkout.  Customers wishing to make a donation simply need to select the desired dollar amount, and it will be conveniently added to your grocery bill.  All proceeds will benefit hunger relief and charitable organizations in our region.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/12/2018-6AM)