Chiropractors give comfort to people experiencing back pain, neck pain, joint pain and headaches, but one local chiropractor has decided to help cure something else on the holidays: hunger.

For 14 years, Baker Family Chiropractic has sponsored an annual food drive to benefit Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry at the Eloise Thwing Center.

“We want to be able to help in some way during the holidays,” said James Baker, chiropractor.

Last year, the chiropractic clinic gathered more than 600 cans of food.

Anyone may contribute canned goods by dropping them off at either of the clinic’s two locations, at 1053 S. Trade Street or 25 Shields, Suite 1.

In the 14 years since the annual drive began, the clinic has collected a total of about 10,000 cans of food.

“There are a lot of hungry people out there, and we’ve got to take care of our own house so to speak,” Baker said.  “Thermal Belt, Hospice and Steps to Hope are here in town, and we have so many volunteers in this outstanding community.”

Baker said the food drive would continue to be an annual tradition for the business in years to come, because everyone enjoys having the opportunity to do something to help others in the community during the holiday season. It’s a meaningful, uncomplicated way to support the community.

“We had so much fun doing it the first year, with the energy in the office and the enthusiasm of the patients. It was just fun,” Baker said. “I just love doing it and it wouldn’t feel like Christmas now without our food drive.”