Holiday effort reinforces value of community
Operation Holiday has been providing food and gifts for families of the tri-county region for 30 years, ensuring that all children, no matter how dire their family circumstances, have something for the holidays.
The program has served thousands of families each year as a community outreach of local newspapers. Funds are raised by simply telling the stories of need and asking readers to respond. Employees of local newspapers, including this one, manage the fundraising through a nonprofit foundation and team with local agencies to identify families in need and distribute food and gift cards.
Each year has shown the need that exists and the generosity that flows in response.
In 2020, the effects of the pandemic caused an unprecedented demand on food pantries of the region, many of which are partners with Operation Holiday. Their stories of working to meet the demand became a separate “Season of Caring” series, and combined with Operation Holiday profiles, inspired overwhelming generosity from readers.
More than $70,000 in donations from individuals, businesses and organizations provided grocery gift cards for food to 82 families and $100 gift cards for 208 children, as well as donations in January to eight area food pantries to help maintain supplies during the winter months.
In 2021, devastation of another kind affected the region. Many people lost their homes and saw their lives upended by flooding and tornadoes in September. Operation Holiday began this year with the story of Mary and Joe (not their real names) and their three children. They had to be rescued by boat from their flooded Norristown apartment on Sept. 1 as the Schuylkill River rose to record levels.
“We had no idea the water rose up that high,” Mary said. “By 3:30 in the morning we had to get water-rescued by the fire department. My husband had just started his business two months prior, and he lost everything. We had no vehicle. So our neighbor saw us walking, and offered to take us wherever we needed to go.” Their family was put up in a hotel, eventually returned to their home where they are trying to put their lives back together.
That’s where Operation Holiday comes in: When a family is struggling to get a roof over their heads and food to eat, there are no resources left to buy gifts at the holidays. The mission of Operation Holiday is to give children in those difficult circumstances some semblance of a normal Christmas with food and gifts.
Loretta Stever, director of The Daily Bread Community Food pantry in Collegeville, described the impact of the program in a thank you letter this year:
“Imagine a cup of morning coffee suddenly becoming a luxury. You may not have shampoo or deodorant available for your morning shower. There are never second servings offered at meals because there is not enough food for a complete meal.
“During a year filled with trauma and uncertainty, one constant remained — the incredible generosity of our community. … Clients have repeatedly asked us to relay how much of a difference your donations have made to them. You have not only helped to fill their bags with food but reinforced that they are not forgotten. Thank you for helping to give them hope.”
This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 17 agencies who have referred 143 families with 372 children. Funds in excess of what is needed for children will be donated to area food pantries.
Your gifts reinforce the value of community in the region. Most importantly, you give children hope.
Online donations are being accepted in a secure portal in partnership with TriCounty Community Network. Visit https://tcnetwork.org/ and click on the link for Operation Holiday.
Contributions can be mailed with checks payable to Operation Holiday to PO Box 1181, Pottstown PA 19464; The Reporter, 307 Derstine Ave. , Lansdale PA 19446; Operation Holiday, 1440 Lacrosse Ave., Reading, PA 19607.