Through Dec. 24, the American Red Cross is urging blood donors to help two Hall County charities.

The American Red Cross Southern Blood Services is holding a food drive to benefit the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia and the Gateway Domestic Violence Center.

Stephen Cramer with the Athens office of Southern Blood Services said while the Atlanta area Red Cross is holding a food drive for the Atlanta food bank, the regional office wanted to help charities that don’t get as much assistance during the holidays.

“...Domestic violence centers are underrepresented during the holidays, and they do need food and items all the time,” Cramer said. “And we also have some animal lovers here at the Red Cross so we decided to open it up and make it also a food drive for the animals, including the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia.”

Through Nov. 24, blood donors and members of the community are encouraged to drop off their nonperishable food items at the Gainesville blood donation office. The office is located at 311 Jesse Jewell Parkway, No. 102, and is open from noon until 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The office is closed on Sundays.

The most-needed nonperishable food items are canned meats and fish, powdered and evaporated milk, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, soup, rice and pasta, dry cereal and oatmeal, and baby food and formula.

For the Humane Society, dry and canned pet food is needed.

Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood and platelets.

Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements. Most donors can give blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks, up to 24 times each year.

To find out more about donating blood or platelets, please call 800-448-3543 or head to the Red Cross Web site.