Many people reading today's newspaper will celebrate the holidays with family and friends, and will enjoy hearty feasts and loads of desserts through New Year's Day. Many others, however, will have little on their plates over the holidays. Thankfully, local food pantries are here to help them.

This holiday season is especially difficult for many local families because of the recession and unemployment. Fulton County has the highest unemployment rate in upstate New York at 9.5 percent, and Montgomery County is close behind at 8.9 percent.

Use at local food pantries is up, said Salvation Army Capt. Debra Stedman, who says the pantry at the Salvation Army in Gloversville has so far served more than 210 families during this Christmas season.

Other local pantries and those throughout the state are reporting increased demand and a need for more donations.

If you're wondering how you can help others in need during this holiday season, donating canned food is a good way to do it, and there's still time to give before Christmas.

Food pantries are located throughout Fulton and Montgomery counties. Gloversville, for example, has pantries at the Salvation Army at 10 Spring St. (725-4119); Fulmont Community Action Agency at 39 Church St. (725-7110); Foothills United Methodist Church at 17 Fremont St. (725-9611); St. James Lutheran Church at 521 N. Main St. (725-7512); and Park Terrace Elementary School. Catholic Charities of Fulton and Montgomery Counties also operates local food pantries.

People can donate by participating in a local food drive, calling one of the sites or visiting them during operating hours.

No one should go hungry during the holidays. If you have the means, we encourage you to help the disadvantaged. You'll find your benevolence to be more satisfying than any meal you'll eat this season.