My Turn: Time to think about giving

“When the going gets tough, the tough get giving.” These are tough times for many among us. It is time for the strong of heart and the generous of spirit to share with others.

As in past years, holiday appeals are being made, but this year we have discovered that the needs are greater and the resources are stretched thinner than ever.

We need a generous flow of food, clothing and toys across our North Lake Tahoe area of Placer County. Your help is needed. The North Tahoe Neighborhood Coalition has prepared the following list of ways in which you can give locally:

Holiday Giving Programs in the North Lake Tahoe Area

Turkey Drive (Project MANA) provides a turkey dinner to families for Thanksgiving. Your options: $25 for a turkey and fixings; and/or provide a frozen turkey (Safeway has a 2-for-1sale); and/or provide non-perishable food such as cranberry sauce, pumpkin, stuffing and sweet potatoes or yams. Mail contributions to or drop off food at the D. W. Reynolds Building, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451. Contact Project MANA at (775) 298-0008.

Adopt-a-Family (Tahoe Women’s Services & North Tahoe Family Resource Center) matches families or individuals with donors who provide wrapped clothes and gifts. Donors can choose the size of the family. The gifts are to be dropped off by Dec. 15. Contact TWS, Cecilia or Jessica, at (530) 546-7804; or contact the NTFRC, Ana or Amy, at (530) 546-0952.

Toys for Tots (Placer County Sheriffs) serves children 0-12 years old providing new toys. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Tahoe City Chiropractic (Dr. Tim Schroeder), La Petite Styling Salon, Coldwell Banker (Tahoe City Cobblestone Office), the North Tahoe Conference Center, the North Tahoe Business Association; and, of course, the Sheriff’s Office. There will be barrels for toys at the Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 5. Cash donations are also welcome. Contact Kristen Mann at (530) 581-6369.

Holiday Food and Clothing Project (North Tahoe Hebrew Congregation) distributes food and winter clothing. Your options: Drop off new or gently used winter clothing such as coats, gloves, boots and hats at the Hebrew Congregation, 7000 Latone Avenue just off of National Avenue, Tahoe Vista, by Dec. 18; and/or send checks for the purchase of food made out to the “Holiday Food and Clothing Fund” at the NTHC, P. O. Box 201, Tahoe Vista, CA 96148. Contact the Congregation at (530) 546-0895.

Now is a great time to give but also remember that local nonprofit organizations like Project MANA, Tahoe Women’s Services and the NT Family Resource Center need your donations year-round.

The North Tahoe Neighborhood Coalition is a group of your neighbors, friends and organizations in the greater Kings Beach community. Originally started in 2005, the Coalition meets on the second Thursday of every month. If you would like to join us or get more information, please email NorthTahoeNC@gmail.com .