MEDINA –– The owner of Astro Computers, along with other small businesses, worked together to gather food for families in need through their Ham It Up for the Holidays food drive.

“We’re collecting for the Salvation Army Medina Chapter. They’re feeding 285 families this Christmas,” said Barb Smith of Astro Computers. “We are here to get some nonperishable items, some hams, some turkeys to supplement that.”

Some of the businesses near the square donated gift certificates and other items. When people came to drop off donations, they would be entered into a raffle where they could win one of these items.

Raffle prizes weren’t the only things that Sandridge Food Corp. and South of the Square Collision Center donated.

“South of the Square Collision gave us their parking lot, and Sandridge gave us their refrigerated truck to fill,” Smith said.

Community members were able to drive into the parking lot and drop off their donations.

“My son drove by and saw the truck and called me,” said Medina resident Jeff Gervais. “It’s always good to donate this time of year.”

There was a lot of weekend traffic near South of the Square Collision Center parking lot, and the large Sandridge truck and a handful of volunteers holding signs advertising the food drive drew people in.

“We saw them collecting and thought it would be good to bring some stuff by for those who may need it,” said Jay Davis, of Medina, who saw the signs on his way home. “Everybody needs help. … We’ve got to do what we can.”

Several of Smith’s friends and family bundled up to hold signs and help draw people in to donate.

“I really hope that we get enough donations to be able to provide for families in Medina County,” said Nicole Baisden, one of the volunteers. “That, and I think it’s just good publicity for the small businesses in the area.”