Our hearts were warmed by the outpouring of support for our newspaper last week as the Smithfield Town Council heard from citizens on the future of the property we have occupied in the town’s Historic District for a century.

There are several reasons for concern, all addressed in a parade of speakers from all walks of life. But we were struck by the passion with which people spoke about the Times and its importance to them.

A newspaper isn’t defined by its bricks and mortar, although we sure love ours and appreciate the way it allows us to serve our community beyond the information provided on these pages and on our website. We’re biased, of course, but no entity can be the effective caretaker of “Times Square” on Main Street as the Times has been since John and Anne Edwards created it nearly four decades ago to be the community’s space for outdoor concerts and other events.

Coincidentally, this is National Newspaper Week, an opportunity to take a moment and recognize all the ways that community newspapers like this one make a difference. The overflow crowd at The Smithfield Center on Oct. 2 made the case better than we ever could.

If you’re reading this, you probably already have a good understanding of why it is important to have a healthy newspaper. By subscribing to or advertising in your hometown newspaper, you are providing much-needed support to keep trained, professional journalists like our Stephen Faleski covering the issues important to you. We are committed to being the community’s watchdog, covering town and county governments and school boards.

But, there are many other ways newspapers serve their readers and communities, things even regular readers might not always consider.

Newspapers are reliable. Unlike news you get on social media, you can be sure that news from your local newspaper is professionally gathered, fact-checked and edited. You might not always agree with everything we publish, but you can rely on the fact that what’s published has followed journalistic standards.

Newspapers protect your right to know. In addition to covering what’s going on in your local government, most newspapers serve another critical purpose by publishing public notices issued by government agencies regarding proposed actions like rezoning proposals and tax increases. In Virginia, local governments are still required to publish those notices in local newspapers, so all citizens have the opportunity to know what’s going on, and if necessary, take appropriate action to make their voices heard.

Your newspaper is local, produced by local citizens who drive the same streets, shop in the same stores and consume the same government services as you. The local newspaper’s focus is on making the community stronger, safer and healthier. The publisher and staff share the same concerns as our readers.

In short, we hope you agree that your newspaper makes a difference in his community in many ways. That’s true every week, not just during National Newspaper Week.