People looking to give to charity can give a little blood this week.

The American Red Cross is sponsoring blood drives over the next several days. Sterling State Bank in Austin will have a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. on Aug. 16. The LeRoy Community Center will run a blood drive from 1 to 7 p.m. and Sterling State Bank will have another drive from noon to 6 p.m. on Aug. 17. Our Savior Lutheran Church in Brownsdale will have a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. Aug. 18.

Blood donations nationally have been declining this summer and supplies are at seriously low levels. Though the American Red Cross issued a national appeal for blood donors on July 11, blood products are going out to area hospitals just as quickly as donations are coming in.

All blood types are needed — especially type O negative, B negative and A negative — to ensure blood supplies do not drop to emergency levels.

How to donate

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are generally in good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.