LEXINGTON (WACH)--Lexington County Sheriff's deputies collected 1,000 toys and 700 pounds of food to be donated to needy families.

The toys and food were collected as part of the agency's annual holiday food and toy drive.

"Harvest Hope Food Bank will distribute the food that the Sheriff’s Department donates to persons who are in need of assistance," said Metts. The Salvation Army will distribute the toys that the Sheriff’s Department donates to persons who are in need of assistance.

The Sheriff’s Department holiday food and toy drive is not over just yet and deputies are still accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items.

Anyone who would like additional information about how to make donations for the food and toy drive can contact Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Kevin Blackmon at his office at (803) 785-2430. 

Sheriff Metts encouragesthe community to participate in a toy drive that the Columbia Classic Chevy Club will conduct between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 10 in the parking lot of the Woodberry Plaza shopping center near the intersection of U.S. 1 and Woodberry Road near West Columbia.