We all know times are tough. Most of us have friends or neighbors who have been affected by the downturn in our nation’s economy. Others simply don’t have the means to get out and get what they need.

With that said, it’s great to see folks in Carroll County stepping up to lend a hand for those whose circumstances dictate that they can’t really help themselves right now.

In the Snake Creek community, the Neighbor’s Hands program is preparing meals one day a week to deliver — free of cost — to elderly shut ins in Snake Creek, Laurel Fork, Gladesboro and Fancy Gap. They gladly accept donations of time, money or food to make this possible and don’t ask for anything in return.

Jerry Worrell, who helps coordinate the program at Indian Springs Outpost, said hopefully, Neighbor’s Hands can eventually help the shut-ins by doing repairs and other work.

On Friday, the Carroll County Public Schools Physical Plant was the site of a large shipment of food and backpacks filled with supplies for area homeless students. Thanks to HELP (Homeless Education Literacy Program) and a little bit of legwork done by Carroll County Public Schools social worker Pat Frost, homeless children in Carroll and Wythe counties will have food, personal care items and books thanks to the Feed the Children program.

Mike Taylor, the truck driver for Feed the Children, said knowing that the shipments he drives helps brighten the lives of those who might not otherwise have those things, is one of the most fulfilling and satisfying feelings in the world.

And from the look of things, that’s a sentiment shared throughout Carroll County by those who give of themselves to better the situation of those around them.