Helping Texas Panhandle Families this Holiday Season

      If you’re thinking about helping out the local Texas Panhandle families this holiday season, you should know that the Amarillo Globe News’ Empty Stocking Fund is now in its 39th year of helping families fulfill their needs during the holiday season.  Over the past years in this endeavor, there have been more than $2.6 million donated.  Last year’s total reached $107,842.58 in donations to give 250 individuals and families as well as 950 nursing home residents to have a wonderful holiday season.  The Salvation Army even helped receive funds to help provide shoes and socks for homeless children.  Funds also went to several agencies that provide for teenagers and seniors.    Recipients can apply for assistance through social service agencies and nursing homes. Each recipient is then reviewed by the Empty Stocking Fund Screening Committee which is made up of volunteer social workers.  Applications are evaluated and those who qualify receive a voucher which can be redeemed at area Walmart’s and United Supermarket Stores.
So, where do find the donation list? At the end of November, donations will be listed in the newspaper and these donations can be made in memory of an individual or to honor individuals.  Donations are tax deductible because the Empty Stocking Fund is an organization.  Profiles of the agencies that work with the Empty Stocking Fund will be in Monday’s paper.  The Globe News will publish stories on each Empty Stocking Fund recipient and will complete a wrap up article on Christmas Day.  Donations will be listed until after the beginning of the New Year. 
If you’d like to donate to the Empty Stocking Fund you can mail donations to P.O. Box 2091, Amarillo, TX 79166.  The Empty Stocking will not be accepting in-kind donations this year due to staffing limitations.  If you have items to donate to a specific recipient you can drop those items off at the Downtown Women’s Center Thrift City at 600 S.W.  10th Avenue where they can be picked up by the recipient after they have received their voucher. 
And more great news to add here is that the Center City Electric Light Parade is teaming up with the Empty Stocking Fund to present this year’s Christmas Concert.  The concert will be held December 2nd at 8:30 p.m. at the Globe News Performing Arts Center following the Electric Light Parade’s lighting of the Christmas tree.  Donations for the Empty Stocking Fund will also be accepted at the concert.  Free tickets are available at the Globe News offices at 900 S. Harrison Street Offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.   

For more information call the Amarillo Globe at 806-345-3363 or the Downtown Women’s Center at 806-372-3625.

 

Originally posted at: http://www.trulia.com/blog/tomkile/2011/11/helping_texas_panhandle_families_this_holiday_season_1