Donation boxes, such as the one at Bertolone’s, will be set up at local businesses from now until Dec. 18. (Photo by Anthony Richards)

The Clanton Lions Club and the Fraternal Order of Police are partnering to do some good this holiday season.

The two organizations have begun an initiative of placing boxes decorated with Christmas wrapping paper at businesses in Clanton.

The process of placing the boxes has started and they are beginning to pop up throughout Clanton and will remain up until Dec. 18.

Residents are asked to drop non-perishable food items and new toys in the boxes as donations. The boxes will be emptied every couple of days.

According to Vicky Jenrette, who is helping organize the program, all donations will be approved prior to delivery and money donations are also accepted, with checks made out to the Clanton Lions Club.

Several locally owned businesses such as restaurants, banks and grocery stores have become involved with the program and will have boxes at their locations.

A typical number of people for such a program is estimated to be around 200 people, Jenrette said.

Vouchers worth $30 are expected to be provided to needy families and be used at locally owned restaurants.

The FOP selects families through human resources, but anybody in Chilton County that knows of a family in need can call Jenrette at (205) 217-1613.

“We’re not going to turn anybody away who needs help,” Jenrette said. “No one should go hungry during the holidays.”