Rusty Marsh's idea for economic recovery might raise a few eyebrows.

"As a nonprofit administrator and a man of faith, I believe we can give our way out," said Mr. Marsh, South Carolina administrator at the Golden Harvest Food Bank's Aiken warehouse.

With the holidays around the corner, now is a good time to start, he said.

"During the holidays, everyone turns to those in need," he said.

Mr. Marsh would like to put a turkey or ham on the table of every person in need this holiday season, and with the generosity Aiken County residents have displayed in the past he believes that will happen.

"We're trying to collect $15 per turkey and $25 per ham. Last year, we were able to give meat to 500 families at Christmas. We didn't get all we needed for Thanksgiving," he said.

More than $5,000 in donations came in last year; this year's holiday ham and turkey goal is $7,000.

No holiday meal is complete without the side dishes, and the food bank is in need of those, too.

"Our canned goods are down," he said.

The October Spooky to Be Hungry event brings in a lot of canned goods, but less than a month after the drive about half of those donations are gone, he said.

Many businesses and community organizations collect canned food near the holidays, and that helps the food bank fulfill its mission.

Two special events are taking place this week.

Caring Rose Week runs Monday through Saturday. A donation of two canned goods (or $2) and $10 will get a dozen roses from Jim Bush Florist, 501 W. Martintown Road in North Augusta; Floral Mark-It, 13180 Church St. in Williston; or Cannon House Florist, 608 Old Airport Road in Aiken. The proceeds will go to the food bank.

Also, there will be an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the food bank's Aiken warehouse, 13 Enterprise Ave.

For more information, call (803) 648-0752.

Reach Charmain Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.