December and January are always challenging months, when time shrinks and bills expand. For some in our community, this is an especially onerous time; not enough warm clothes to wear, food to eat, or even gifts to provide children.
Myriad opportunities exist for people to lend a hand to those who need it most this winter. We are proud at the Alberni Valley News to have launched the Black Press Pennies for Presents campaign this year. We are almost at our goal of $1,000, and our campaign is only half over.
Children will benefit through the Port Alberni Toy Run when we’re finished rolling all the coins.
We are also excited—in fact a bit too excited, it turns out—to have teamed up with Quality Foods to promote its Christmas food drive. Last week we told our readers that a grocery sack would be included in the paper, but we jumped the gun. The bags will be inserted in our Dec. 9 issue. The grocery store is asking people to donate food using the bags, which may be dropped off at Quality Foods, the Bread of Life or the Alberni Valley News.
The Port Alberni Shelter Society is also in need of food, clothing and toiletries for the increase in clientele they will see as more extreme weather alerts are called. Administrator Wes Hewitt says the shelter is funded for 12 people per night, but more realistically sees 20 during inclement weather.
The Bread of Life and Salvation Army are always in need of food for their food banks, year round.
Every little bit helps. We are a community with heart, and we take heart in being able to help others.