The Batesville Area Ministerial Association Food Pantry always is in need of donations, especially around the holidays.

With that in mind, Sherman House owner Doug Bessler offered to donate 10 percent of any customer’s food bill to the local pantry every Sunday in October. The only requirement was to bring in a church bulletin for Sunday breakfast, according to Lydia Woodward of Marketing Solutions.

A total of $600 was contributed by The Sherman House, Doug Bessler personally and Bessler’s Trackside Auto Depot, surpassing last year’s donation.

Bessler hopes to spur other local businesses to make donations. “If enough businesses can help the local community, small donations then turn into large returns for the food pantry,” he pointed out.