A local store and church have teamed up to fight hunger in Covington County.

Gitty Up-N-Go #4, TBHC Delivers and the Covington Baptist Association have joined together to help make the holidays brighter for local families in need.

Gitty Up-N-Go #4 and TBHC Delivers, the largest distributor of Hunt Brothers Pizza, partnered with Covington Baptist Association to help feed the hungry in Covington County this holiday season.

According to Feeding America, one in five children in the U.S. are food insecure.

The food insecurity rate in Covington County is at 16 percent, which means there are around 6,050 food insecure residents.

Gitty Up-N-Go #4 has worked with the Covington Baptist Association to coordinate the drive and will deliver all donated food to local children and families who struggle with hunger through the Christian Service Center Food Pantry in Andalusia.

Guests who participate in the food drive will also receive a coupon for a free hunk of Hunt Brothers Pizza upon return to the store.

This food drive is part of a nationwide initiative by TBHC Delivers called Provide, which strives to offer basic life necessities to those in need.

The drive for non-perishable food items will take place at Gitty Up-N-Go #4 now through Dec. 31. Visitors can bring non-perishable food items or purchase them in-store, and drop them in the donation box at checkout.

The store is located at 1078 Third St., in Florala.

–Staff reports