I received a notice this week from my daughter's school, and then saw this article today on Yahoo, which is about how many families are finding it harder and harder to make it from one paycheck to the next. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are when most people remember to donate food items to local food banks, but this year there will be more families in need. This year, with rising costs of everything from gas to milk, it's more important than ever to remember to donate to your local food bank. Some of these families were donating last year, and in need this year.

This year, the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties is having a Holiday Hunger Food Drive, and asking schools to participate. The school that raises the most pounds of food per student will win the 2007 Schools Holiday Hunger Challenge Champion Award, along with cash prizes donated by their sponsors.

Their goal is to provide complete holiday meals to over 5,000 needy families. If you haven't donated to your local food bank in the past, and are able, consider doing so this year. Many of the Gloria Nilson GMAC Real Estate offices are running branch food drives, and our Wall Township office is an official collection site for the Food Bank of Ocean and Monmouth Counties.

There are many ways to help, but the most important part is that you help.