In the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew, it is written, “… Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink … The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’.” (Matthew 25:34-40 34)

It is a lesson that applies to Star Telephone’s food drive, the second such event they’ve held. It is designed to bring nourishment to residents across our county that otherwise might go lacking. What Star and its employees are doing is giving back some of that which they’ve been given, and they are asking us to do the same.

The second annual food drive kicked off Tuesday and will continue through Sunday, and with the help of Star’s loyal employees and customers, along with residents throughout Sampson, this year’s drive could be even more successful than last year’s, with hundreds of pounds of food items collected and then donated to those who need it most.

The drive offers all of us who have plenty an opportunity to share with those who don’t within our communities.

All it takes is opening our pantries — or in some cases visiting a nearby grocery store — and finding an assortment of non-perishable items we can pack into a grocery bag. Everything from canned vegetables and meats to fruits, pastas and breakfast items like Pop Tarts are being accepted, much needed commodities that we often take for granted but are much appreciated by hundreds of people in our midst who might not be able to sit down to a meal with their family were it not for the generous spirit of others.

We are calling on our community to assist Star in this giving adventure.

Food collected will be donated to the Christian Food Bank of Salemburg, a non-profit organization comprised of churches who collect and then distribute food to area residents once a month.

Food bank volunteers have said the need is great, with hundreds upon hundreds of families being served each month.

As it was last year, Star’s food drive comes at an opportune time, since during the summer months giving often goes down and food supplies become far more limited.

Employees at Star have opened their hearts and their pantries to help, amassing dozens upon dozens of bags of food to kick off the drive. They are counting on us to continue that which they’ve now started.

While much has been given, much more is needed in order to meet the growing needs.

And that is where all of us who sit down each night to a meal of plenty — or pull our chairs up to restaurant tables on a regular basis — can assist.

If we eat three meals a day; if our pantry is laden with foods that we more often than not don’t even touch during a given week; and if we eat out regularly, enjoying meals with family and friends, we are very fortunate. We have plenty.

And because we have plenty, we are called upon to help those who have little or nothing.

Unlike money, which some people hesitate to give because of how it might be spent, filling a grocery bag with food provides sustenance to those who might otherwise not get it.

We extend a huge thank you to Star for its continued support of our community and for seeing a need and meeting it.

Hats are off, too, to the employees and community members who’ve already extended a hand of service by participating in this food drive. That which you have already given will make a difference in the lives of many.

To those at the food bank, too, our heartfelt thanks is offered, knowing that the service they provide offers hope to those who often feel there is none left.

And to those who’ve not yet given, we offer a word of encouragement. Please help if you can. Feeding someone who is hungry is one of the greatest gifts a person can give to another.

The need is there. Won’t you help Star meet it?