What better Christmas gift than helping Highlands' hungry?

People are hurting bad out there, and if you doubt that, go talk to anyone running a food pantry around Highlands County. Tough times have left households in ruins, people living in their cars and desperately needing food. It's painful to see so many people in serious need.

These food pantries and other agencies do an invaluable service. Where would these people in need turn to if they weren't there? It's terrifying to think that people are going hungry here in Highlands County.

Most of us are suffering right now. Lost jobs and lower incomes have many folks teetering on financial disaster. It's a sad sign of the times and any news of an economic recovery seems too far away for these people. Help is needed right now.

Imagine being in a position where you barely have money for gas, and it has to be balanced with food and other expenses that flood our daily lives. The desperation people in this situation must feel is excruciating to the rest of us. Many of them have never asked for assistance before, so it's an embarrassing, humbling experience. Caring people want to tell them to just take the assistance, don't worry about things such as pride during extraordinary times. Still, proud people struggle with charity. Almost any of us would feel the same way.

We hope before the holiday season kicks into full gear that a lot of people consider all the hurting people in Highlands County. What better gift could we buy than to help out in some way, whether it's donating cash or food? Would our own family members really be shorted if we used money differently this year? Of course not.

People need us to step up and help them. These are not faceless people living across the ocean. These are our friends, neighbors and the folks we see everyday. Let's hope our food pantries and assistance programs get lots of help this year.