Did you know that there are more hungry people living in the U. S. today than at any time since the U. S. Department of Agriculture began gathering data in the 1990s? Nearly 49 million Americans don't get enough nutritious food on a regular basis.

And as Charles Dickens wrote in A Christmas Carol, “it is at Christmastime that want is most keenly felt.”

Many of those hungry people live in communities served by First Reliance Bank, so we've decided to do something about it. But we need your help.

This holiday season, won't you help us feed our neighbors in need?

We're launching a drive to provide 500 meals to those in communities served by our bank and its branches.

Together, First Reliance Bank and you can help fill hungry bellies and make this season just a little brighter.

The drive will run through January 21, 2013. Here's how you can be a part of it:

Drop off nonperishable food items at any of our branch locations. Donated items will be delivered to local food partners for distribution.

Purchase a Feeding Neighbors In Need paper plate for $1 at any of our branch locations. Paper plate donations will support our local food partners. Each $1 plate will fund five meals.

“Like” First Reliance Bank on our Facebook page, and we'll donate $1 on your behalf. Remember, just $1 funds five meals.

Call our Customer Care Center at 888-543-5510 and donate $1.

Stay current on the progress of the drive by following @FirstReliance on Twitter. That's where you'll also find information about upcoming Feeding Neighbors In Need events in your community. And please be sure to re-tweet #FeedNeighborsInNeed information to your own followers and help spread the word.