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Include a few extra items with your own groceries next weekend.

Leadership Greensboro Seniors will be outside local grocery stores waiting for every can of tuna or beef stew, and every bag of dry beans or rice you can pile in their carts.

Representing more than 50 congregations in the city, the group is conducting its semi-annual nonperishable food drive next Friday and Saturday to benefit Greensboro Urban Ministry and the hungry in the community.

This is the 31st campaign for the active group of retired and semi-retired senior citizens.

This is what they say is really needed (canned or nonperishable only, and no glass containers or open packages):

• Protein sources, including tuna, salmon and peanut butter.
• Vegetables, including green peas, mixed vegetables and corn.
• Fruits, including peaches, pears and applesauce.
• Other items, including soups, oatmeal and dry milk.
• Dietary supplements, including Ensure.

Participating grocery stores include Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Lowes Food, Compare Foods, Bestway, and Earth Fare.

For information, call Urban Ministry’s food bank at 271-5959, Ext. 360 or 361.

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The nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization is coming to Greensboro for a “faith and fairness” town hall meeting “to empower people of faith to take action on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality.”

The Human Rights Campaign, based in Washington, wants to foster a movement where people of faith and their allies can engage their respective religious communities and elected officials on the value of LGBT inclusion in congregational, community and civic life.

The event, the last in a series of meetings across the country, will also address ways to “combat misleading information from the religious right” about LGBT people and their families, according to organizers.

“It is often devastating to LGBT people to have their faith used as a weapon against us,” said Harry Knox, director of the campaign’s religion and faith program, who will serve as moderator.

“It’s very hurtful, for instance, to have the Bible be the last thing quoted as you are thrown out of your home, if you are an adolescent who has just come out to your parents.

“It is hurtful to have the Bible used as a weapon against you when an employer fires you, when you are a person of faith and understand, as I have, that the Bible is about reconciliation and community and love.”

Sponsors include the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, the Guilford Green Foundation and the National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad.

The gathering is 6 p.m., March 18 , at First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, 617 N. Elm St., (Fisher Park and Greene Street entrance).

The keynote speaker is the Rev. Miguel De La Torre, an associate professor of social ethics at the Iliff School of Theology. Panelists include: the Rev. Arnetta Beverly, St. Matthews United Methodist Church; Rabbi Fred Guttman, Temple Emanuel; and the Rev. Susan Parker, Wake Forest Baptist Church.

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Looking for something to do tonight? For $2, you can support disaster relief in Haiti, and listen to “the high school heroes” and other musical groups.

The middle school youth at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church are hosting a benefit concert for Haiti at 6 p.m. in the church’s fellowship hall, 2100 Fernwood Drive.

Concessions are available and donations will be accepted.

Other guests include Mk Rodenbough, Eric Johnston and friends, and special guest Lauren Light (http://laurenlight.fourfour.com/home).

For more information, call Kim Row at 288-5452.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com