IT IS better to give than receive. That time-preserved adage rings home louder and more clearly during the holiday season.

With Christmas just a little more than two weeks in the offing, now is the perfect time to open our hearts and cupboards to those less fortunate in the Ohio Valley.

The Times Leader is spearheading an effort to make sure those in need have enough to eat during this special time of year. We are again partnering with our readers to help fight hunger with a special food drive that offers a little something extra.

From now until Dec. 22, The Times Leader is accepting canned and packaged, non-perishable food items that will be distributed by the newspaper’s circulation department to various food banks in the local area.

The Times Leader launched the food program last year. It proved a major success.

Just like last year’s successful food drive, those donating at least three canned or three non-perishable food items will be given up to 20 lines in the classified advertising space where they can have their Christmas Greeting printed. It’s the ideal way to send a warm holiday greeting to just about anyone while helping those in need.

While it only takes three canned or packaged food items to qualify for the free Christmas greeting, many people last year gave more — including some who donated boxes filled with food, which helped to make the food drive a huge success.

We encourage all those who can help, please do so. There are countless Ohio Valley residents down on their luck and could use the help supplied by the food campaign.

Those wishing to participate in the Christmas Greetings food drive program can simply drop off their non-perishable food items at The Times Leader’s office located at 200 S. Fourth St., Martins Ferry between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. All donations must be received by 3 p.m. on Dec. 22.

For more information about this special program, visit The Times Leader during regular business hours or call the classified advertising department at (740) 633-1131.

We at The Times Leader realize that economic times are not the brightest now in the Ohio Valley.

But we also know that valley people have a history of helping their neighbors in need. The food drive is an ideal way to carry on that tradition of caring and generosity.