Our View: Help in the High Country not a given
“So, this is Christmas, and what have you done,” is the question John Lennon first asked in 1971.
While many of us can answer with decades of our assistance in missions helped, food pantries stocked, the homeless sheltered and the needy clothed — there is more to do in the High Country. This year, it seems there is more need than ever.
One week before Christmas, it is discouraging that there are more than five dozen families in need of assistance yet dangling from the Hunger and Health Coalition Sharing Tree. Discouraging, but not surprising. Many of us have seen similar situations in our own churches this year — families in need of help, but too little help to go around.
Not all of us are in a position to give more than we already have. But if you are — or if you have the means to assemble a group of like-minded friends to take on a single family — there are about 70 area families who need our help. These are families chosen and approved by the Hunger and Health Coalition as needing our support for not only a holiday wish list, but necessities such as food.
Among Christmas charities, this program is unique. Beyond identifying the need and making the connection, the coalition chooses to let the donor be the bearer of glad tidings through direct contact with the family. Those who have assisted others in this way can testify to the dramatic effect such face-to-face contact can have.
The Sharing Tree began the season with 260 adoptable families — an increase of 22 percent above the need of last year. Those 190 families helped to date are an indication that the High Country cares. This year, that caring needs to be spread a bit more. Call the coalition at (828) 262-1628 or email (info@hungerandhealthcoalition.com) to help.
While many of us can answer with decades of our assistance in missions helped, food pantries stocked, the homeless sheltered and the needy clothed — there is more to do in the High Country. This year, it seems there is more need than ever.
One week before Christmas, it is discouraging that there are more than five dozen families in need of assistance yet dangling from the Hunger and Health Coalition Sharing Tree. Discouraging, but not surprising. Many of us have seen similar situations in our own churches this year — families in need of help, but too little help to go around.
Not all of us are in a position to give more than we already have. But if you are — or if you have the means to assemble a group of like-minded friends to take on a single family — there are about 70 area families who need our help. These are families chosen and approved by the Hunger and Health Coalition as needing our support for not only a holiday wish list, but necessities such as food.
Among Christmas charities, this program is unique. Beyond identifying the need and making the connection, the coalition chooses to let the donor be the bearer of glad tidings through direct contact with the family. Those who have assisted others in this way can testify to the dramatic effect such face-to-face contact can have.
The Sharing Tree began the season with 260 adoptable families — an increase of 22 percent above the need of last year. Those 190 families helped to date are an indication that the High Country cares. This year, that caring needs to be spread a bit more. Call the coalition at (828) 262-1628 or email (info@hungerandhealthcoalition.com) to help.