Food pantries getting some help from program

The high demand being experienced in food pantries of the region is getting some help from the readers of this newspaper.

Operation Holiday is making cash donations to food pantries/providers throughout the region to help stock shelves and provide ample food for families in need.

This contribution is made possible by the donations from readers, who responded to the stories of need that MediaNews Group publications printed/posted as part of Operation Holiday.

More than 500 contributions to Operation Holiday were received from November to the end of December, totaling nearly $70,000 — all of them from individuals, small businesses, churches and family foundations. Contributions were received from throughout Montgomery and Chester counties from the readers of The Mercury, The Reporter, The Times-Herald, Daily Local News and the weeklies of Montgomery, Main Line and Southern Chester County groups.

Operation Holiday has no overhead and is managed through the efforts of MediaNews Group employees with the cooperation of partner social service agencies. “These partnerships make our program possible, and we are pleased this year to give back with direct contributions to non-profits who operate food pantries,” said Shelley Meenan, MediaNews Group regional manager.

Contributions will continue to be accepted and applied to future aid for community assistance to families in need.

Contributions can be mailed to The Mercury, Attn: Operation Holiday, PO Box 1181, Pottstown, PA 19464, or The Reporter, 307 Derstine Ave., Lansdale PA 19446. Make checks payable to “Operation Holiday.”