It’s Christmas and everyone’s thoughts turn to…giving.
And Canadian Pacific’s 2009 Holiday Train stop in Cobleskill is just one example of that holiday-inspired generosity.
In addition to the $1,000 check to Schoharie County Community Action Plan’s food banks that CP officials brought with them, the event generated some $1,119 in cash donations from the crowd, and $4,367.96 worth of food donations, according to SCCAP’s Rebecca Thillet.
But this year, that probably won’t be enough.
“As incredible as all those donations were—and they set a new record—people are exhausted financially and we’re seeing more need than ever,” said Ms. Thillet.
“Overall, donations are down and the people we have offering to adopt a family for the holidays is also down. It’s been a tough year for a lot of people for a lot of reasons.”
Even before the holidays, SCCAP and other food pantries started seeing an increased demand for food, much of it from younger families and people who hadn’t had to turn to the pantries before.
Ms. Thillet said donations of things like pasta and sauces, macaroni and cheese, and cereal are welcome year-round, but especially needed this time of year are small desserts SCCAP can add to the 400-plus holiday baskets staff and volunteers will soon be putting together.
Deadline for names for the baskets was Friday, SCCAP’s Michelle Johnston said, so it’s too early to tell what the final count will be.
“But I think we all expect it to be up,” she said.
Donations to any food pantry is as simple as collecting and delivering non-perishables; financial donations are also welcome and should specify where the donor would like to see it used.
Ms. Thillet also pointed out that donations don’t have to be just food.
Things like diapers, shampoo, detergents can’t be purchased with food stamps and are just as welcome, she said.
SCCAP, like other organizations, also has lists of families hoping to be “adopted” for the holidays, Ms. Thillet said.
Though the families’ names are kept confidential, details, such as the ages of the children, interests, and whether the family includes, say, grandparents, are shared.
“We still need people to help with that,” Ms. Thillet said. “I know by Christmas, it will all work out, but we’re a little worried. Some of the families who’ve helped us by adopting in the past aren’t able to do it this year.”
Ms. Thillet said they can accommodate very specific requests; some people, for example are interested in adopting a single mom with kids, while others might prefer an elderly couple.
“We’ll work with them,” she said. ‘There’s really a need.”
For more information on how to donate to any of SCCAP’s efforts, contact the office at 234-2568.