Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

The fifth annual “Shop and Share” one-day goods drive to benefit domestic violence shelters across the state will be held in Harlan County Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Shoppers at the Food City stores in Harlan and Cumberland will have the opportunity to donate food and supplies as they visit the grocery for their own shopping.

“All of us are aware of the appalling crime of domestic violence and many Kentuckians have had friends or family members who have been victims themselves,” said First Lady Jane Beshear in a news release. “Shop and Share is an easy way for people to contribute to victims and their families. While gathering their game-day supplies or doing their weekly grocery shopping, Kentuckians can purchase necessities for the shelters and then directly donate the items at the store.”

Volunteers at each Food City and Kroger stores will provide a list of items needed at the shelters, such as canned food, school supplies, toilet paper and soap. Monetary donations will also be accepted.

The Family Life Abuse Center, which serves victims in Harlan, Bell, Clay, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle and Whitley counties, will have volunteers on hand at the Food City stores in Harlan County on Feb. 2 to accept donations.

“Organizational partners for the 2013 Shop and Share event includes Beshear’s office, Kentucky Domestic Violence Association, Food City, Kroger, the Kentucky Commission on Women, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, the Girl Scouts of Wilderness Road Council and Kentucky Drug Courts,” said Harlan County Domestic Violence Victim Advocate Sheryl Caudel.

Beshear said this year’s goal is to collect more than $1 million in donations for this cause. Last year the combined goods and monetary donations for Shop and Share Day were estimated at more than $782,000.

All collected contributions will be given to the 15 Kentucky Domestic Violence Association shelters across the state.

For more information, or if you would like to volunteer to help or make a donation, you may contact Caudel at 606-392-1129.

For more information on the Shop and Share Program you may visit their website at http;//firstlady.ky.gov/Pages/shopshare.aspx.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@civitasmedia.com