Obama supporters in Valley plan food drive on inaugural weekend

By Sean Barron

A similar group in Mercer County, Pa., is trying to promote green technologies.

YOUNGSTOWN - A primary plank of President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign was to encourage people nationwide to be engaged in the political process and perform community service projects.

Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration will be symbolic of hope, needed reform and numerous positive changes to come for millions of people.

The historic day, however, should also encourage citizens to continue to thrust themselves into the spirit of volunteerism.

Those were among the priorities discussed during a meeting Saturday by members of Mahoning Valley for Change, formerly Mahoning Valley for Obama.

Members of the group and others agreed to take on as a service project joining forces with the HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley and Project: Feed Our Valley as part of a food drive, set for Jan. 19.

The effort, titled “Honor the Dream,” has been set up to recognize the birthday and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Residents will be able to donate nonperishable food items that will be distributed by the Second Harvest Food Bank to assist those less fortunate.

In Mahoning County, people will be asked to drop off items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 210 Wick Ave., in Youngstown; in Trumbull County from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Warren G. Harding High School, 860 Elm Road N.E., in Warren.

Read the full story Sunday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.