Many families face this holiday season without warm clothing and other necessities -- including Christmas gifts for children.

To help, the Northern Moore Family Resource Center is collaborating with Moore County school system to supply clothing and gifts to families in northern Moore County.

In the past, the center has supported more than 100 families and has identified an even greater need this year. Accord-ing to the school system, more than 75 percent of the students at Robbins Elementary School alone are currently receiving free or reduced-priced lunches.

However, a significant percentage of eligible families choose not to apply, says a spokesperson for the school system.

Local residents can help the family resource center meet the needs of these children by sponsoring a child for Christmas. Donations will be used to purchase clothing for the children and will be acknowledged in the quarterly newsletter.

Volunteers also are needed to help purchase and wrap specific clothing items for these children.

To make a donation, interested persons can send checks to the Northern Moore Family Resource Center, PO Box 190, Robbins, NC 27325, by Dec. 8.

Interested businesses can partner with their employees to sponsor a specific school. Pinehurst Surgical Clinic has done this for many years, according to a news release from the center.

Anyone needing more information about this program can call Lilly Loughner with the Northern Moore Family Resource Center at 948-4324 or by e-mail at nmfrc1@earthlink.net.