Since 2007, White Oak Sanitation, a local waste removal company, has collected collected canned food, clothing and toys to counter the growing needs of families and individuals every holiday season with the help of customers.

"We are heading into a second straight holiday season while fighting through the greatest recession our country has seen in decades," said Aron Dunn of White Oak. "Money is tighter than usual, and many families in Barrow and other nearby counties are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet."

As a result, food and clothing are becoming more difficult to attain.

This year, the Food Drive will be held from Nov. 9-15.

White Oak Sanitation provides a simple, stress-free method for anyone to donate by sending a moving truck on its garbage routes for a week to collect any and all canned food, clothes and toys that the company’s customers and neighbors leave beside their curbs.

"Everyone is encouraged to help out, either by bringing donations to Jefferson First Baptist Church or White Oak Sanitation’s offices in Gainesville," said Dunn.

Nearly 100,000 cans of food have been donated each of the last two years.

"We are adamant that the amount donated this year needs to exceed 100,000 cans," said Dunn. " A large amount of clothing and toys are also needed for the approaching holiday season so White Oak Sanitation needs a huge effort from Barrow County residents to make this happen."

For more information about the Food Drive and directions to the donation sites, call White Oak Sanitation at (678) 455-7819 or visit www.sanitation-services.com.