Who says the city of Austin and Mower County can't cooperate?

They do it often, but one of the best ways is the annual County/City Employees Food Drive.

This year's drive begins today and ends noon Friday, Nov. 22.

The all-important weigh-in takes place three hours later.

There is a traveling trophy waiting to add the winning government entity's employees for contributing the most non-perishable food items and the "bragging rights" those employees can enjoy for another year.

Also, there are good feelings to be enjoyed at knowing the employees are helping to feed the hungry.

Nancy Clingman, who works at the recycling center for Mower County, is organizing the food drive once again. Employees are reminded when they purchase food items they need to be non-perishable.

"Bags of potatoes, fresh fruits and vegetables are not acceptable as they will spoil," Clingman said.

Canned, boxed or bagged shelf-stable food items are example of the foods that are acceptable.

Donations are made by Mower County and city of Austin employees at drop boxes located in several buildings throughout the respective work places.

Lori Espe, volunteer coordinator for the Salvation Army Austin Corps, has advised Clingman, such items as condiments -- ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise -- as well as baking goods, including sugars, brown and regular, shortening and flour are needed.

In addition, Espe told Clingman other winter cooking items, such as microwave single-serve foods, canned tomatoes, tomato sauces and juices, red beans, pinto and black beans, rice and canned fruit and others are also needed.

Clingman advised all employees to look for collecting boxes in "employees only" areas of their work places.

"I believe the happenings in the past few weeks and past year have given us all a new perspective on just how precious life is," said Clingman.

The Salvation Army Austin Corps will pick up the food items donated by the city and county employees and use them to fill holiday food baskets.

"Dig deep and share with the less fortunate in our community," said Clingman. "Holidays are a time when spirits should be high, so let's make our homeless, out of work, elderly, sick and others have those same joys we all enjoy this time of the year."