TRUCKEE, Calif. and#8212; This year, there’s been an increase in applications received and approved over the 289 families and 120 seniors served last year by the Truckee Community Christmas program. The families that Truckee Community Christmas helps represent the truly needy families in Truckee and at the summit. The fact that more families are applying for assistance this year is probably not a surprise as we all seem to know friends and neighbors who are working reduced hours or are dealing with the reality of losing their jobs, homes or businesses. Most of us took these basics for granted a few short years ago.

The Truckee Community Christmas board members who review the applications collected by local agencies and schools are now trying to figure out what can be provided this year.

Each family receives a box of food, a toy for each child in the family, and sometimes, a gently worn, used coat and#8212; all donated by and#8230; well, we hope you!

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The all-volunteer Truckee Community Christmas program has been operating for the past 16 years, with a collective army of caring individuals who each take a moment from their busy December lives to stop and write a check, or pick up extra groceries or buy a toy and then drop these items in collection bins located at businesses and schools all over town. Others may donate a coat that they no longer wear at church of the mountains in downtown Truckee. Low-income and homebound seniors are also provided for with food and gifts however those programs have largely already wrapped up.

Because the need is urgent now, we are hoping that many of you reading this will be inspired (or reminded) to find a place in your heart combined with an amount that works for you in your holiday budget, to help out.

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A week from now the program will conclude and the qualified families will line up and gratefully receive their donated goods, to help make their holiday season just a little bit brighter.

Monetary contributions, which are used to purchase food gift cards, can be mailed to Truckee Community Christmas, Inc. P.O. Box 2955, Truckee, CA 96160. For info on any Truckee Community Christmas component, call the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce at 530-587-2757.

If you agree with me that Truckee is a community that takes care of its own, and if you can give with a joyful heart, I urge you to do so.

Thank you Sierra Sun readers! I know there are many of you out there that will help us pull through this year!

Katie Shaffer is a Truckee resident and is a senior account executive with Switchback Public Relations.