Holidays bring opportunities to help others
In good times and bad, San Benito County has proven time and
time again that its residents care for the less fortunate.
That giving spirit exists year round in such organizations as
the Community Foundation, Community Food Bank, the homeless shelter
coalition, Jovenes de Antano and an array of other organizations as
they meet their missions of giving the less fortunate more comfort
in their lives and offering avenues to get them back on their
feet.
Holidays bring opportunities to help others
In good times and bad, San Benito County has proven time and time again that its residents care for the less fortunate.
That giving spirit exists year round in such organizations as the Community Foundation, Community Food Bank, the homeless shelter coalition, Jovenes de Antano and an array of other organizations as they meet their missions of giving the less fortunate more comfort in their lives and offering avenues to get them back on their feet.
At the annual Philanthropy Day event last Friday, some of the most admirable people behind the giving in San Benito County were honored. It was another broad-ranging slate of award winners from nonprofits that each picked an honoree for the year.
It was another example of the county’s most precious asset, the caring people who make up the nonprofit sector.
Said Leadership San Benito President Mary Damm at the gathering: “We have all these people in San Benito County who step up day after day.”
That giving spirit, though, is particularly valuable during the winter months and holiday season. And in these particularly difficult economic times, the willingness to give that little bit extra will go a longer way toward helping someone who is less fortunate.
There will be a good chance in the coming days for anyone looking to give back, as the annual Marley Holte Thanksgiving dinner is set for Thursday at Sacred Heart School’s O’Reilly Hall. Residents should consider getting involved in this invaluable community tradition by either donating their time, money or fixings, although organizers prefer cash because it allows them flexibility to get the necessary amount of food.
In the weeks following the first of two Holte dinners, residents can continue donating food to the less fortunate through the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts campaign called “Scouting for Food.” The kids will send out notices on Dec. 5, and residents then leave bags of groceries to be picked up on Dec. 12. Kudos go out to the Scout groups for providing such a convenient, charitable service – and to the citizens who ultimately will provide the food.
These are just examples. There are many other avenues to help the less fortunate, such as donating to the homeless shelter, Fishes and Loaves, Community Food Bank or the Emmaus House shelter for battered women and children. Times are tough. Donations are scarce. But if you have that little extra, either time or money, it’s worth considering how many others are worse off than most of us.
