Grassroots supporters of Republican Presidential Candidate, Ron Paul, have collected over 12,000 lbs. of food for charity in a nationwide effort to feed the hungry this Christmas season. Volunteers of the Ron Paul Food Drive collected food donations in each of the 36 cities with the goal of raising a combined 10,000 lbs. of food nationwide.

Salem Smith, the local coordinator in Northeast Tennessee, said the food drive’s primary goal is to help make the Christmas season “a little brighter to those who are less fortunate.”

“We want to show the country that we don’t need the government to take care of people. Americans are the most generous people in the world. From the beginning of this country’s history, communities across America have always been willing to lend a hand to those who need it,” said Smith.

Supporters of the presidential candidate raised 800 lbs. of food during a Manchester, NH town hall event on Monday. In tiny Warminster, Pennsylvania, Ron Paul supporters lead all of the cities with over 2,100 lbs. of food collected.

“We are part of the grassroots movement,” says Ron Paul supporter and volunteer Danielle Davis, “and grassroots has done so much for Dr. Paul’s campaign, despite mainstream opposition. We would like to show people – just as Ron Paul believes – that grassroots efforts of voluntary charity are a much more efficient and direct way to help those less fortunate than ourselves; government isn’t the only option.”

Food was collected throughout December and donated to charities in each city on the evening of Dec. 23. For more information, please visit http://RonPaulFoodDrive.com.

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