The Valley Empty Stocking Fund's first application session is Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon for families seeking assistance this holiday season.

The fund, which the Lions Club and American Legion created in 1973, provides grocery and department store vouchers to families living in the Horse Creek Valley area.

Last year, the Valley Empty Stocking Fund aided 227 families with vouchers to Kmart for toys for children and vouchers to IGA and Reid's for food.

Families eligible to receive vouchers from the fund have children who attend Area 3 schools: Midland Valley High School, Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School, Leavelle-McCampbell Middle School, Gloverville Elementary School, Clearwater Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Byrd Elementary School or Warrenville Elementary School.

To submit an application, people must appear in person at the Burnettown Municipal Building on Wednesday with a picture ID. Applicants must also provide every household member's Social Security card, each child's birth certificate, proof of income for the entire household, rent or mortgage payment receipt and electric, water, gas, fuel, telephone, food and any other bills.

The Burnettown Municipal Building is located at 3144 Augusta Road in Burnettown.

The Valley Empty Stocking Fund runs entirely on donations, and there is no deadline for giving. Contributions may be sent to Valley Empty Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 517, Langley, SC 29834.

The second application session will be Dec. 2.

For more information, call coordinator Mary Lee Opalewski at 593-2337.