"Obama Helps Out At Food Pantry" (with video)

WMUR (NH), with video:

Candidate Urges Campaign Workers To Volunteer--MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Presidential candidate Barack Obama helped pack Thanksgiving meals for the hungry at the New Horizon Food Pantry on Wednesday.

Obama said that he hoped his stop at the food pantry would inspire volunteerism.

"It's a terrific thing for us to highlight during Thanksgiving that a lot of families need help," Obama said.

He also called on his grassroots supporters to follow his lead.

"They spend a lot of time going around circulating my literature, but there are other ways we can put them to work, and this is one of them," he said.

The Democratic senator is running on a platform of change, saying domestic problems can be solved by inspiring citizens to help each other. By the end of the week, he and his New Hampshire campaign will have done 250 hours of community service.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm to be out there doing the kinds of things Barack Obama is talking about," Obama volunteer Mary Rauh said.

His actions at the food pantry didn't go unnoticed.

"'None of the other candidates have stepped into the building," said Barbara Kimball of New Horizons Food Pantry. "He's the first one, and I think it'll make a big impact. It shows he cares."

Obama said that after his New Hampshire stop, he was headed to Illinois for Thanksgiving. He said that he probably won't do much cooking, describing himself as more of a clean-up guy than a chef.

Barack Obama