GROVE CITY — Local merchants are joining again with nonprofit organizations to deck their storefronts for the holiday season through Olde Town Grove City's Parade of Trees.

Eighteen Olde Town merchants will provide trees and space while 18 local nonprofit organizations will provide themes and decorate the trees accordingly. The chosen theme often relates to the purpose of the organization.

This year's parade is introducing a new process to select the winning tree. Last year's event collected more than 6,500 items for the Grace Food Pantry. Mary Kay Mattocks, secretary of Grace United Church, said it greatly increased awareness and support of the food pantry, according to a news release.

George Junior Republic will again send volunteers to pick up the items, keep track of the donations at every location, deliver them to the pantry and help to shelve them. Grove City College fraternities and sororities are stepping up to be more involved as well.

Customers, employees, and friends can vote for the tree they like the most by placing donated food in the designated box next to the tree. All donated food will again go to Grace Food Pantry. The winning organization will receive $100 from Olde Town Grove City.

The Parade of Trees will run from Dec. 5 to Dec. 21.