Food is donated during last year's Day of Caring. Thsi year's event, sponsored by the United Way, is on Friday, and donations of non-perishable food are encouraged. Those who drop the food off at Lumberton Chevrolet will be eligible to win prizes.

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LUMBERTON — The United Way still needs volunteers for Friday’s Day of Caring event.

Sandra Oliver, executive director of United Way, said the organization needs people to donate food and blood.

The 10th annual Day of Caring will include a food drive, a blood drive, a knit-in and a drawing for prizes. The main event will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lumberton Chevrolet on Linkhaw Road. People are asked to bring five non-perishable food items to Lumberton Chevrolet, the Walmarts in Lumberton or Pembroke, Lowe’s Food in Lumberton and Bo’s Supermarket in Fairmont during the same hours.

Oliver said the organization has a goal of 25 donors for the blood drive. Donors are asked to call 910-738-5057 to make an appointment, but Oliver said walk-ins are welcome.

“I know that we don’t have the entire 25. I’m thinking we’re about halfway there,” she said.

Oliver said the organization hopes to collect 30,000 pounds of non-perishable food items by the end of the day.

For Saturday only, residents with a Lumberton address may leave their donated items by their mailbox to be picked up by a mail carrier.

People who bring five non-perishable food items to Lumberton Chevrolet will be entered in a drawing for two $100 gas cards and four free oil changes. Recommended items are: cereal; canned meat; pasta; rice; grits; peanut butter; macaroni and cheese; dried milk; canned fruit and dry beans. Only those who drop off their items at the dealership will be entered in the drawing.

Also at the dealership on Friday will be a knit-in, during which participants will knit blankets and hats for premature babies at the hospital, and lap blankets for hospice patients. That event usually attracts 15 to 20 participants, Oliver said.

“Most of these people are seasoned knitters. They can make those hats and lap blankets pretty fast,” she said. “Over a five- or six-hour period, they’ll finish.”

To get information about the event, or to volunteer, call 910-739-4249, or e-mail the United Way office at ounitedwayofr@nc.rr.com.