As the holidays approach, it is time to embrace the season of giving and togetherness.

On Friday, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Downtown Statesboro Development is collaborating with the Averitt Center for the Arts to host "The Hungry Games for the Arts."

It's a chance to participate in a number of community art projects as well as contribute to a canned food drive for the hungry.

Downtown businesses will be paired with local artists to facilitate one of 12 community art projects including a chewing gum mural, a bottle cap collage and a dance class at the Statesboro Youth Ballet Studio. All members of the public are invited to participate.

To take part, each person must bring a canned food item to the courthouse lawn. After taking part in an art project, each person will receive a raffle ticket and be entered to win one of the many prizes that have been donated by local businesses. The more activities that you participate in, the better chance of winning a prize.

"The goal of ‘The Hungry Games' is to bring hands-on art to the community and in turn distribute donated food to feed the hungry," said Anastasia James, the director of Art After Hours at the Averitt Center.

There will be a food, a variety of local vendors and opportunities for the whole family. The Averitt Center also has a number of exhibits opening that night, including the Annual Statesboro Regional Arts Association Juried Exhibition.

The Downtown Statesboro Development Authority invites you to shop local and support downtown by dining in one of the many local restaurants or stopping in the variety of clothing and boutique shops that are offered in the area.