Two Butler County churches will host blood drives this month as the American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to band together to give blood or platelets and help ensure a stable blood supply for patients this holiday season.

The traditional slump in blood donations between Thanksgiving and New Year’s comes as the blood supply already faces challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.

Old Union Presbyterian Church, 200 Union Church Road in Mars will have a blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 27.

Mount Zion Baptist Church, 900 Mount Zion Church Road in Prospect, will have a blood drive from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 30.

Make an appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.