Holiday food boxes are a little "skinny"

Organizers of Sisters' annual Christmas Food Share program are hoping for an upsurge of donations to fill holiday food boxes for Sisters families in need.

"There are people who need food baskets, and we're a little skinny this year," said Katie Powers, one of the program's organizers.

Donations to the food share program, coordinated through the Kiwanis Community Food Bank, are lagging - perhaps because a late Thanksgiving delayed the start of the holiday season.

The program helped 84 families last year, and more than that number are expected to apply for assistance this year, according to Powers.

Donations will be accepted through December 19, which doesn't leave drive organizers much time to fill their needs.

Food Share organizers are looking for donations of canned fruits and vegetables and "the basic staples for a Christmas dinner," Powers said.

Food donations can be deposited at the Kiwanis Community Services Building on the corner of Main Avenue and Oak Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. In addition, U.S. Postal Service carriers will collect canned foods and other non-perishables on December 5 and 6. Residents on local postal routes can just leave their donations in or near their mail boxes on those days.

Local markets have collection sites as well.

Cash contributions are an integral part of the Christmas Food Share Program. They can be made at collection jars throughout the community. Those who would like to contribute larger amounts are asked to write checks to the Kiwanis Community Services Foundation and mail them to the foundation at PO Box 1296, Sisters, 97759.

The Furry Friends program, coordinated through The Nugget Newspaper is also well short of needed donations. The program provides pet food as part of the food share package. Donations of pet food will be collected at The Nugget office at 442 East Main Avenue through December 19.

Powers stressed the importance of the donations to the Sisters community.

"We have to be aware that we all don't have the same good fortune," she said. "Some people need a little help to make their holiday brighter."