Yes, it is that time of the year again. Over the next seven weeks we'll celebrate Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the whirlwind of planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, unwrapping, and spending that the holidays seem to command, but imagine how it must feel if you simply can't do any of these things for your family because you don't have the money. The opportunities to help others in our community provide for their families are as plentiful as the Pilgrim's first feast. 

Here are a handful of possible ways and places to give during the holidays near our community. Whether it's a donation from the kids' piggy bank to making and/or serving a meal at a shelter to full support for food and gifts to a specific family, I hope you will find a way to share with those in our community who need it most.

Over 9,000 families were served last year by Montgomery County's Holiday Giving Program, a coalition of congregations, not-for-profit organizations and community organizations. Organized by zip code and a wide referral network, donations can be as simple and anonymous as sending cash, gift cards or toys, to targeting a specific community to receive a donation, all the way to "adopting" a family through the Holiday Linkage Program and working with them to identify, provide and deliver specific items that they request. Many churches support this program through "angel trees" or similar means to collect specific items for donation.

At A Wider Circle, based in Silver Spring, 420 families were supported by donations from the community last year. This year, the organization, whose mission is to help people lift themselves out of poverty, is focusing their efforts on their current clients to provide the resources necessary to truly empower people to change their lives.  While families can still be "sponsored" and supported with gifts, food, and gift cards, this year they have established a new program called Heart of Connection, in which ongoing support is provided by an individual or group. 

This may range from helping families navigate the resources available to them to more specific assistance such as bringing healthy non-perishable food or self-care items from A Wider Circle to the families. This option will be a larger part of these families taking the next steps out of poverty.

Mark Bergel, A Wider Circle's Executive Director, said that he believes that "this type of support is what it will take to help families create more independent lives so that next year, instead of needing help again, they can help other families to have a happier holiday season."

His organization is prepared to support those in the community who take on this challenge. Individual donations, gift drives, and wrapping supplies are also welcome and will be used for clients to select gifts from their "North Pole" when they come to A Wider Circle's Center for Community Service for holiday assistance.

A unique way to give for Thanksgiving is through the partnership between A Wider Circle and Norman's Farm Market. From now until November 18th, you can purchase a whole or half-share of produce to be donated to the clients of A Wider Circle. Fresh fruits and vegetables will be added to a basket of donated items and grocery gift cards, allowing recipients to enjoy a healthy and plentiful Thanksgiving meal. Shares can be purchased at the Farm Stand at East-West Highway and Jones Mill Road or online.

For both Thanksgiving and Christmas, organizations such as Shepherd's Table and Bethesda Cares appreciate meal preparation and service as well as certain items like winter outerwear. Manna Food Center takes donations of non-perishable food, and is currently in the midst of its Annual Scouting for Food drive with the Boy Scouts of America through November 13th.

If you have other special organizations that you'd like to let Patch readers know about, send me an e-mail or post them in the comments. I wish you a holiday season of meaningful giving and receiving.

Organizations for Holiday Giving:

Montgomery County Holiday Giving Project
Susan Klavon - Holiday Giving Project Coordinator

Interfaith Works: 301-315-1094

A Wider Circle
Thanksgiving contact: Laura Whiston - laura@awidercircle.org - 301-608-3504
Christmas contact: Pam Feinstein - pam@awidercircle.org - 301-608-3504
Norman's Farm Market
Bethesda Cares
Manna Food Center
Shepherds Table