Times are tough, and as the holiday season moves forward local charities are feeling the pinch.
Operation Holiday and the Wellington Food Bank — which helps to sponsor the Salvation Army Angel Tree and Salvation Army Bell Ringers —are seeing fewer donations as the economy continues to dip.
“Our bigger donors, they just don’t have it,” said Shirley Musson, director of the food bank.
Though the need for assistance runs throughout the year, the urgency to give families — especially children — a special holiday is stronger than ever.
Musson said she sees an increase at the food bank every month, and with recent layoffs she’s bound to see even more. Musson said she is already up to 209 children on the list for the Angel Tree.
“That’s a lot of shopping to do,” Musson said. Nearly 400 local children were helped last year through the Angel Tree.
Volunteers at the Wellington Food Bank have no doubt the holidays are going to be tough this year. Musson said without the help of the community it would turn into an impossible task. Donations of food, toys, and money are all needed to keep the facility up and running. Money is especially needed to help complete their mission of feeding the hungry.
“Canned goods are wonderful, but there are things like toilet tissue and meat we have to purchase,” Musson said. “There’s just not that much donated to begin going around,”
Jim Chisham of the Kiwanis Club, which sponsors Operation Holiday every year, said since the late 70s his organization has tried their best to bring Christmas to the needy, but it hasn’t been easy in recent years.
“Last year was the first real big down turn in money and toys,” he said.
Operation Holiday strives to give families the entire Christmas experience — with a meal provided through food vouchers and gifts of clothing and toys for children and adults in need. Gifts of food vouchers are also given to the elderly to help with a little added Christmas boost.
“You can’t believe what some of those old people live on. I know they get rent real cheap, but my gosh. I know what the cost of drugs are myself and it’s just horrible,” Chisham said.
Both agencies are doing what they can — spending their money on sale items throughout the year and even going so far as to have “spies” at the local Wal-mart scope out the best deals ahead of time.
“We get some great sales throughout the year,” Chisham said.
Assisting in this year’s mission to save Christmas, both Operation Holiday and the Salvation Army Angel Tree will be the benefactors of the annual KZSN Toy Drive, taking place until 7 p.m., today. The toys and monetary donations will be divided up between the two — allowing help to reach more people.
Chisham said he’s hoping the truck loads of toys will be enough to satisfy the wants of area children this year.
“We’re hoping to get a lot of support through that,” he said.
Musson is also thrilled to be a part of the toy drive.
“We’re just so excited to be getting some help,” she said.
Musson said in addition to needing funds this Christmas, the Food Bank is also in need of bell ringers.
“I only have two bell ringers,” she said. “I’m desperate,”
Bell ringers have been out at Wal-mart and Dillons since the day after Thanksgiving, taking donations for the Salvation Army. Money donated locally, is used locally, Musson said.
“It just helps in so many ways throughout the year in the community,” she said.
Salvation Army Angel Tree applications are now being accepted at the Wellington Food Bank, Wal-mart, and The Wellington News. Operation Holiday application are in the CASA office. Applications must be turned in by Dec. 15.
For more information on how to help the Wellington Food Bank, call 326- 5301 or to assist Operation Holiday, call 326-2967.
Wellington, Kan. —
