Local organizations spreading holiday cheer
Zach White
Ebenezer Scrooge may not have believed in the generosity of Christmas, but he was obviously not from Havre.
Several organizations have been holding drives or programs to people that need help this holiday season.
The Havre Food Bank has been helping more people than ever before, according to the bank’s director Penny Velk.
Last month the food bank workers gave 220 Thanksgiving dinners to families in need, up from last year’s 167.
So far, more than 250 boxes of food for Christmas meals have been given. Last year they gave 94 boxes.
The demand has been so great this season, Velk said, that earlier this week, the food bank ran out of turkeys and hams.
“We had to put an emergency call out to Gary and Leo’s,” Velk said. “They helped us out.”
Velk also said that demand has jumped a lot this year, particularly from communities the food bank supports across Hill County, outside of Havre.
And all this as the food bank faces cutbacks. Starting early next year, the food bank will have to cut its afternoon hours because of a loss of funding.
“So I don’t know how it’s going to impact our people,” Velks said. “But it’s the only way we can figure out how to stay open.”
The Salvation Army has been running Christmas programs while working on their future, as well.
The Angel Tree program helped provide more than 200 children, from 80 families, gifts like toys and coats for the holidays.
The Salvation Army has also been conducting its annual bell-ringing fundraiser outside of stores across Havre. The funding for these supports the organization throughout the rest of the year.
Trina Crawford, the director of social services for the Salvation Army, wants to remind people that giving goes both ways.
“It is donations that keep us going,” Crawford said. “It’s important that the community knows that it is important to help. And if they need help, we are here to help them.”
The Havre Jaycees also did their part to brighten the holidays for the children. Their Toys for Tots and Koats for Kids campaigns collected many donations outside of local businesses.
Ebenezer Scrooge may not have believed in the generosity of Christmas, but he was obviously not from Havre.
Several organizations have been holding drives or programs to people that need help this holiday season.
The Havre Food Bank has been helping more people than ever before, according to the bank’s director Penny Velk.
Last month the food bank workers gave 220 Thanksgiving dinners to families in need, up from last year’s 167.
So far, more than 250 boxes of food for Christmas meals have been given. Last year they gave 94 boxes.
The demand has been so great this season, Velk said, that earlier this week, the food bank ran out of turkeys and hams.
“We had to put an emergency call out to Gary and Leo’s,” Velk said. “They helped us out.”
Velk also said that demand has jumped a lot this year, particularly from communities the food bank supports across Hill County, outside of Havre.
And all this as the food bank faces cutbacks. Starting early next year, the food bank will have to cut its afternoon hours because of a loss of funding.
“So I don’t know how it’s going to impact our people,” Velks said. “But it’s the only way we can figure out how to stay open.”
The Salvation Army has been running Christmas programs while working on their future, as well.
The Angel Tree program helped provide more than 200 children, from 80 families, gifts like toys and coats for the holidays.
The Salvation Army has also been conducting its annual bell-ringing fundraiser outside of stores across Havre. The funding for these supports the organization throughout the rest of the year.
Trina Crawford, the director of social services for the Salvation Army, wants to remind people that giving goes both ways.
“It is donations that keep us going,” Crawford said. “It’s important that the community knows that it is important to help. And if they need help, we are here to help them.”
The Havre Jaycees also did their part to brighten the holidays for the children. Their Toys for Tots and Koats for Kids campaigns collected many donations outside of local businesses.
