We are entering into the Christmas season, a time of hope and giving. For local charities, it may be a time when area residents are able to help the less fortunate among us.
Last week, Connie Beining of the Salvation Army in Cumberland said requests for assistance from her agency have increased 161 percent. The increase for food assistance alone is 186 percent. “We’re doing double the utility assistance that we were doing a year ago,” said Beining. “Fifty to 60 percent of the people we’re seeing are first-time applicants.”
Similar pressure is being felt by the Union Rescue Mission. “We’re seeing a lot of new faces. Our shelters are full and there is no relief in sight,” Dan Taylor, executive director of the mission, said. “We’re feeding maybe 40,000 meals at the dining room every year,” he added.
At the Western Maryland Food Bank, donations of food and cash go a long way to helping people having trouble keeping food on the table. The Bags of Plenty food drive is under way. Bags filled with nonperishable food items can be dropped off at several collection points, including many of the area’s food markets.
The goal is to reach 20,000 pounds of food. The drive will run through Wednesday.
Cash donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 243, Cumberland, MD 21501-0243 or donate online at www.wmdfoodbank.org.
“We take donations of food and cash all year long,” the Salvation Army’s Beining said. “Most of that goes into not only our operating budget but our social service program ... which includes things like helping with utility shutoffs.” Beining said that the Salvation Army is also getting ready to start its annual kettle campaign.
As you go about your holiday celebrations and preparations this year, please remember those in need. Helping agencies like the Salvation Army, Union Rescue Mission or Western Maryland Food Bank in turn helps our friends and neighbors.
