Staff Report

Ray Poole Jr.,  along with the agents and staff at State Farm Insurance Agency, has collected non-perishable foods for the Panola County Food Pantry during the month of January, and has encouraged all of Batesville and the county to make a donation during the last week of the annual effort.

Poole said his business recognized the food pantry needs to be restocked at the first of the year following the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons when demand is high for food at the facility.

More than 400 households in the community are served by the food pantry each month. The week of Thanksgiving two months ago, 90 families were provided bags of groceries, including meats, vegetables, and dairy products, in just one day.

State Farm employees have helped organize the donation drop-off all month at their office on Hwy. 6 at the intersection with Keating Dr. Suggestions for donations include mac-and-cheese boxes, ramen noodles, crackers, canned vegetables and meats, and soups. Bags of rice and beans are all good items because of extended shelf life.

To make arrangements for financial donations, or for any other questions, contact the State Farm office at 563-7721.