Sambalpur, Dec. 28: The district administration and local branch of the Indian Red Cross Society have joined hands to launch a charitable initiative for those in need.

The Helping Hand initiative aims to collect donations from people and distribute them among those in need from January 1.

Red Cross Society, Sambalpur, secretary Sitansu Tripathy said: "The district collector will be the chairman of Helping Hand. Our objective is to help the needy. Under this initiative, we will appeal to the people to donate articles they don't use and distribute those among those in need."

One can donate any items in usable condition, including clothes, wristwatches, kitchenware, mobile phones, winter clothing and blankets, stationary items, toys, calculators and textbooks, for distribution.

"We have started collecting such items. People can drop off their donations at the office of the Red Cross Society on the premises of the district collector's office," said Tripathy.

People will be allowed to take the items from the Red Cross Society's office throughout the year from January 1. A donor can donate the items throughout the year. The authorities have also decided to create a database of the donors.

"We are trying to spread word of the initiative, so that more people come forward and donate. We also plan to open a separate office on our premises for the purpose," said Tripathy.