A political forum planned for Friday will combine last-minute campaigning with a food drive, said Lindsay Gribble, communications director for the Bulloch County Republican Party, which is hosting the "Stumpin' for Statesboro" event.

At 6 p.m., local political candidates will gather on the Bulloch County Courthouse square, where each will have five minutes to tell voters where they stand on issues and why residents should vote for them.

They also will have tables with campaign materials.

"We want campaigns and candidates to have the opportunity to interact with voters before and after their speeches if they choose to do so," Gribble said.

There also will be boxes that people can fill with canned goods for a "straw poll food drive," Gribble said.

"We are excited to be collaborating with the Statesboro Food Bank to have a fun little twist on a straw poll," she said. "Boxes will be on hand for each candidate, where attendees are encouraged to drop canned food items to cast their 'vote' for their favorite candidates."

Candidates and campaign staffs who are participating will set up tables at 5:30 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. While their speeches will be limited to five minutes, candidates will be free to speak as long as they like to voters at their tables, Gribble said.

Confirmed participants are congressional race candidates Rick Allen and Eugene Yu; Bulloch County sheriff Republican candidates Jared Akins and Noel Brown; Bulloch County Commission seat 2A candidates Gerald Fleming and Jimmy Hayes; Bulloch County Commission seat 2C candidate Gail Dismuke; Bulloch County probate court judge candidates Charlie Aaron, Lonnie Ellis, Marty Waters and Lorna DeLoach; public service commissioner candidate Michelle Miller; Georgia House District 159 candidate Daniel Almond; and Ogeechee Judicial Circuit superior court judge candidates Mickey Kicklighter, Martha Hall and Michael Muldrew.

In case of inclement weather, any venue change for the event will be posted by 4:30 p.m. Friday on the Bulloch County Republican Party website at www.facebook.com/BullochGOP, Gribble said.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.