HERMITAGE The Mercer County Food Bank will kick off its annual holiday food drive on Tuesday at a moment when federal funding crises have created a critical need for local food aid.

The 8th annual Truck-full of Hope food drive will begin at noon on November 4 at Diehl Chevrolet, located at 2705 E. State St. in Hermitage. This effort encourages residents, organizations, and businesses to donate non-perishable items over six weeks to help fill a truck by the campaign's end on Dec. 12.

The kickoff comes less than two weeks after the food bank’s board of directors adopted an emergency plan to commit 100,000 meals to its network of member agencies. The measure was a direct response to a looming crisis created by the combination of a federal government shutdown, a state budget impasse, and a

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