Business and community interests don't always see eye-to-eye, but in a tight-knit area such as Towson, the people we do business with are often those who make their lives, as well as their living, here.
Even business owners who don't fall into that category at least recognize that when the community is healthy, active and prosperous, they are, too.
That's why it's equal parts admirable and logical that the Towson business community is coming to the aid of the Assistance Centers of Towson Churches.
A coalition of store owners and landlords — with the aid of local high school volunteers — worked last week to place large cardboard boxes in lobbies and shops at locations all around town to help gather food for ACTC's pantry.
People are asked to bring nonperishable food items when they come downtown and drop them into the boxes by Sept. 30. Last year, 10 companies offered space for the collection centers; this year, 19 locations have stepped forward:
• The Campbell Building, 100 W. Pennsylvania Ave.
• The Royston Building, 102 W. Pennsylvania Ave.
• Court Towers, 210 W. Pennsylvania Ave.
• The Jefferson Building, 105 W. Chesapeake Ave.
• Baltimore County Office Building, 111 W. Chesapeake Ave.
• 305 W. Chesapeake Ave.
• 305 Washington Ave.
• 401 Washington Ave.
• 1205 York Road
• 1209 York Road
• 21 West Road
• PNC Bank Building, 409 Washington Ave.
• Nottingham Centre, 502 Washington Ave.
• Susquehanna Building, 29 W. Susquehanna Ave.
• Towson Hot Bagels, 16 Allegheny Ave.
• Manekin Building, 100 West Road
• Kenilworth Exchange, 1104 Kenilworth Drive
• Dulaney Center I, 849 Fairmont Ave.
• Dulaney Center II, 901 Dulaney Valley Road.
Gerri Leder, of LederMark Communications, which is helping to publicize the drive, said in a statement about the drive that, "Most people don't think about Towson as a neighborhood with a needy population."
Yet, communities around Towson generated almost 20,000 visits last year to ACTC, she said.
Indeed, the recession has been tough on many people, and the Assistance Centers of Towson Churches has seen the impact.
Cathy Burgess, ACTC director, said unemployment and lean budgets have, "many people in the Towson area struggling to keep a roof over their head and food on the table."
There's no doubt that the member churches that support ACTC throughout the year do a terrific job of keeping the pantry and other services, such as utility and rent assistance, operating.
But demand has outpaced supply, and the call is out to all of the community — churches, schools, service organizations and business — to pitch in.
Over the next few days, stop in a local shop to drop off a food item and make a difference to those in need. On every end of the process — those who give, those who collect and those who receive — it's an example of neighbors helping neighbors.