This is the time of year when numerous charities and businesses are collecting food for the hungry. The Moore County Senior Enrichment Center in Pinehurst is stepping up to help make it easier for donors through December.

Tommy Deese, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program director of the Moore County Department of Aging, has announced that the center is serving as a drop-off point for donors to contribute food and other items to multiple assistance agencies.

“The Senior Enrichment Center will be available for anyone who wishes to donate to the Coalition for Human Care, the Interfaith Food Pantry, MANNA!, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, and the Animal Center of Moore County,” Deese said. “In this season of giving, we’re hoping that folks will give a little more, either at our location or at one of the many other agencies accepting donations in our area.

“Know that your kindness will directly help a needy person in your community.”

Deese said that the following items will be appropriate for any of the charities receiving contributions through the Senior Enrichment Center: canned meals such as stews, soups, tuna, ravioli and lasagna; peanut butter; canned vegetables; grains; and fruits such as fruit cups, dried fruit, applesauce, 100 percent juice and juice boxes.

“Kid-friendly items are also welcomed,” Deese said. “These include granola bars, popcorn, graham or animal crackers, and fat-free/sugar-free pudding cups.”

Non-food items that will be accepted include baby products such as diapers, wipes, formula, and infant cereal; hygiene items such as toothpaste, feminine products, shaving items, hand sanitizer and soap; and paper products including toilet paper, paper towels, and more.

Regarding donations to the Moore County Animal Center, any canned or dry cat or dog food is acceptable, Deese said. Certain items cannot be accepted, including perishable foods, loose glass and plastic jars of baby food.

Michael Cotten, director of the Sandhills branch of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, said that those in need can sometimes go unnoticed given Moore County’s reputation for affluence.

“It can be a challenge when talking about the haves and the have-nots in Moore County,” Cotten said. “Someone can be living a life in Pinehurst in which they are well-blessed, while only one mile away there are those who are not in great shape. We have 13 percent of the county’s population living in poverty, which breaks down to 6,381 persons in the 18 to 64 age range, 1,124 persons over 65 years of age, and 4,127 aged 17 or younger.”

Deese agreed that the hungry can be easily overlooked.

“It’s more obvious (someone is living in poverty) when we see people without clothes or shoes or a place to live, but we don’t always recognize those who are hungry or malnourished,” Deese said. “But chances are you see them every day and never know they’re having to skip meals or go to bed hungry.”

The Senior Enrichment Center is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., and 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

“Folks can drop off their donations anytime during these hours,” Deese said. “Senior Enrichment Center staff members will be available to show people the donation box and answer questions during the ­center’s regular business hours. Contact me at (910) 215-0900 for more information.”

The Senior Enrichment Center, at 8040 U.S. 15-501 North, will be closed Dec. 22, 24, 25 and 26.

Contact John Lentz at (910) 693-2479 or jlentz@thepilot.com.