Share the Spirit
Holiday drives begin early this year
By SUZETTE PORTER
| Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 |
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It seems Christmas comes earlier every year. Long before Halloween, stores begin selling decorations and trees.
Organizations that count on the public’s help to make the holidays brighter for people in need also are gearing up sooner than in year’s past.
Not only are organizations starting early, they are anticipating the need will be greater than ever.
Lisa J Matzner, director of development at RCS Inc., said this year has been a struggle just to keep enough food on the shelves to meet the needs of the 6,000 individuals RCS serves at the food bank. She said the number of people RCS is currently serving has increased by 100 percent compared to last year.
And with the holidays approaching, RCS staff and volunteers are stepping up their efforts.
“We’re thinking a little more ahead,” she said.
RCS is working with the Dunedin Merchant’s Association who kicked off its annual holiday food drive on Oct. 14. Matzner said RCS also will be partnering with elementary schools throughout the county.
But more help is needed not only to meet current needs but to provide holiday extras.
Matzner said usually the Letter Carrier’s Food Drive in May carries the food bank over until the holidays, but that food is already gone.
“We’re a little low,” she said.
She said food donations don’t have to be turkey and cranberry sauce, other basic food staples and items such as cereal and peanut butter are sorely needed.
She said RCS is serving about 20 to 30 new families a day and she expects to see more new faces during the holidays. She said so far this year, RCS has served about 80,000 people in Pinellas County.
Ken Flint with The People That Love Church and Mission Inc., 817 5th Ave N. in St. Petersburg said the number of people being fed daily through the mission has gone up by about one-third from about 60 to 90 to 100 to 140.
The church is currently registering people to receive a free Thanksgiving turkey and side dishes, and donations are needed. Flint estimates the mission will distribute about a third more than last year when 180 Thanksgiving baskets were given out.
The People That Love also is making plans for the annual toy and food drive for Christmas.
Lt. Col. Tom Jones with the Salvation Army in Clearwater also said work had started preparing for the holiday season. He said currently Clearwater Salvation Army is serving about 20 percent more people than last year, so it is anticipated that at least 20 percent more will need help during the holidays.
The Clearwater Salvation Army serves northern Pinellas County from Ulmerton Road to the Pasco County line. People who live in southern parts of Pinellas are served by the St. Petersburg Salvation Army.
Jones said thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, turkeys for Thanksgiving would be provided. He said for the past 15 years a lady, who was born on Thanksgiving, along with her friends have provided turkeys for the Thanksgiving food baskets. This year, Jones estimates needing about 2,500 baskets.
Other donations provide the side dishes and other food that goes into the basket. Jones said the baskets include enough food to feed a family for a week or so.
He said the canned food drive had already started in about 45 north county schools. The annual kettle campaign kicks off on Nov. 20.
Jones said last year, more money was donated through the kettle drive than ever before.
It takes quite a few donations of food and toys to make sure everyone in Pinellas has a good holiday, which means organizations not only need donations of items and money, they also need storage space.
Gift cards are the perfect solution, Matzner said and Flint wholeheartedly agreed.
Flint said one of the companies The People That Love has counted on in the past to store frozen turkeys is no longer in business, so space will be at a premium. Gift cards allow purchases to be made closer to the time the food will be distributed.
Matzner said gift cards also are perfect to distribute to families because it allows them to do their own shopping so they get what they truly need.
Starting this week, Tampa Bay Newspapers online edition, www.TBNweekly.com, will begin featuring Share the Spirit - a listing of different organizations who are in need of help to assist others. Send information to webmaster@tbnweekly.com.
For more information on helping RCS with a food drive, call 443-4031.
For more information on how to donate to The People That Love Church and Mission, call Flint at 727-421-3745 or visit: www.peoplethatlove.com/donoinfo.html.
For more information on assisting the Salvation Army, call 725-9777.
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Article published on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009
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