From Post staff reports

Two Lebanon churches are putting biblical differences aside in an effort to help feed the hungry in Wilson County through a special Election Day project titled Vote Against Hunger.

College Hills Church of Christ and Immanuel Baptist, working together, are promoting a one-day event to help restock two important food banks in Wilson County.

The two churches are energizing brethren from within their respective congregations and also encouraging the help of others to organize a can food drive on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6.

The Vote Against Hunger project has what the ministers at both churches are describing as a simple mission, to help feed those who are hungry throughout the county.

Taking the lead in this effort, both churches are asking voters going to the polls on Election Day to bring a can of food or any non-perishable item and donate these goods so that they might help stock food inventories at the Family Resource Center and Community Help Center.

Ministers Kevin Owen, College Hills Church of Christ, and John Hunn, Immanuel Baptist Church, both said it is important to note that the food collected through Vote Against Hunger will not be placed at their respective churches but will be donated to the two named organizations.

They explained that the two organizations were selected for the food donations because of their specific areas of service.

The Family Resource Center is focused on distributing food to school pantries, while the Community Help Center is recognized as an agency helping families countywide.

“This food drive is specifically designed to help our schools and the broader community.  If cash is donated, it will be used to buy food at Second Harvest Food Bank. If someone wants to write a check, they can make it out to the Family Resource Network,” the two ministers explained in a joint statement.

Volunteers are to be present at each of the county’s 33 voting places on Election Day to help oversee and solicit donations. As required by law, the collection points for the donations and the representatives of Vote Against Hunger will be positioned at least 100 feet from the polls.

“Recently we were amazed to learn that every day kids in Wilson County go to school hungry. This is astounding when you consider Wilson County is the second wealthiest county in our state.

“Schools are increasingly feeling the pressure to help families with this need,” Hunn and Owen said, explaining the urgency they see for the special project.

Vote Against Hunger is also being supported by Signs Now whose owners Rick and Debbie Stewart are contributing a number of signs to help with the public awareness campaign and by The Wilson Post which has committed to provide advertising and editorial space for the special project.