CENTERBURG -- As Thanksgiving and Christmas steadily approach, many families are turning to local food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks and other services for help in this time of economic turmoil. The students at Centerburg high and middle schools have rallied together raising over 12,000 food items and $451 in cash to donate to the community's Interchurch food pantry.

MOUNT VERNON -- Ever since Salvation Army Capt. Joseph McFee first used a large pot to collect donations to provide a free Christmas dinner for those in need in San Francisco in 1891, the sound of coins sliding into a kettle at the holidays has meant someone is giving a little to help their neighbor.

MOUNT VERNON -- Seventeen-year-old Daniel Graves, a senior at Mount Vernon Academy, was inspired by the men and women who have fought and died to bring peace, prosperity, and harmony to our country and the world, to organize a project to help the local community fight against poverty.