(By Bridget Huckabee) - Stanly County is warming up and we don’t just mean the weather. There are lots of activities in the works for the coming months.  Watch for those popular regular events like Thursdays at the Station, the Oakboro and Locust Cruise-ins, Summer Concert Series and of course our own weekly Farmers’ Market. There’ll also be plenty of one-time-only not-to-be-missed activities.

Friday we begin the weekend with a 3 day event: the Platinum National Dance Competition at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. With input from students, parents and studio owners alike, the promoters are bringing a new kind of competition. Each dancer is center-stage. Numbers are showcased in a poppin’ production. Parents participate and enjoy the entertainment. Studio owners are paramount and the promoters promise to give them and their students and parents an experience to come back to.

BI-LO is committed to helping the community and its customers receive the resources they need to care for the ones they love during tough financial times. BI-LO’s care extends beyond the reach of just individuals and family members to also include beloved household pets.

Beginning today Tuesday, April 9, and lasting until Tuesday, April 30, BI-LO will host its fourth annual PAWS “Feed the Love” campaign. “Feed the Love” is a pet food drive in which food donations go to local-area food banks for families in need to be able to provide food for the four-legged members of their families.

Shoppers can purchase a $5 bag of pet food with the MY BI-LO BONUSCARD, and the food will be picked up by or delivered to the store’s food bank partner.

Food Lion launches its “Hunger Has a Cure” campaign Wednesday to support Feeding America and its network of local food banks. The two-week campaign, which allows customers to donate in $1 or $3 increments at the register, runs through April 16, and will help feed local families in need.

“We know that it’s difficult for some families to provide food during the summer, especially since it’s a time when food donations typically drop while hunger needs increase,” said Sherrii Webb, manager of community relations for Food Lion. “Funds raised through this two-week ‘Hunger Has a Cure’ campaign will provide critical food assistance for local families in need.”