Operation Holiday funds exceed $85,000

The 2023 Operation Holiday Giving Program totaled $85,145 with donations from more than 600 readers of MediaNews Group newspapers and websites in the tri-county area.

In addition to the food and gifts provided to 184 families and 419 children in December, this month’s program will donate cash to eight local food pantries to increase food supplies in January.

“Our reporting across Berks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties shows that food insecurity continues in our region, and Operation Holiday’s nonprofit partners also want to thank those in need of food. We are receiving reports that the number continues to increase,” said Media News Editor Nancy March. Member of the Group and Operation Holiday Steering Committee.

“Agencies that refer families to us tell us that people appreciate this help to make their holidays a little brighter in a time of need,” she said. “We are also incredibly grateful to our readers for their generous donations, which not only allow us to reach our goal of serving families, but also donate to food pantries in our communities.”

This year’s campaign involved 19 agencies in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties who provided referrals and helped distribute designated gift cards to each child and food gift cards to each family.

The program partners with Boscov’s, Weis Markets and Redner’s to procure gift cards and with TriCounty Community Network to provide a secure online portal for fundraising. This program is supported solely by donations from readers. Operation Holiday has no overhead and all funds are kept locally. Funds are collected and audited in a nonprofit foundation account managed by MediaNews Group employees who volunteer their time.

The success of this program’s fundraising efforts is best expressed by the words of appreciation we receive.

One of the program’s nonprofit partners wrote, “Your donation will go toward helping some of the more than 2,000 needy families who rely on our cupboards all year long.” There is. “Your kindness makes a huge difference in the lives of those families. We are blessed by your generosity.”

Donations to Operation Holiday are accepted at any time throughout the year at the TCN donation site: https://tcnetwork.org/donate-to-operation-holiday/.