Help those in need by participating in holiday giving

Friday, Nov. 25, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY —Catholic Community Services of Utah has started its annual holiday food baskets and the Gift of the Drummer program for families in need.

“The holidays are a time to reflect on the past year and all the blessings we’ve been given. As we serve those most in need we come closer to Christ as we remember his life and strive to do his good works,” said Danielle Stamos, CCS public relations and marketing director. 

For the Holiday Turkey Drive CCS teamed up with United Way of Northern Utah and served around 1,500 local families with baskets filled with a turkey or ham and other Thanksgiving food.

These baskets are distributed at the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank in Ogden and at CCS in Salt Lake City.

“The holiday drive is expected to help around 3,000 families, providing them with food baskets for the holiday season,” said Stamos, adding that people can sign up for food at the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank, and if they qualify they will be assigned a pick-up time. 

For Christmas, the “Gift of the Drummer will help 1,200 homeless, low-income, and refugee children,” said Stamos.

The program focuses on collecting new warm winter wear and educational toys.

 Usually, the Gift of the Drummer provides children from newborn to age 17 with three items of new clothing, and toys. CCS clients register from September through October. The families fall into the strict requirement guidelines of the program: the families who qualify have to be 150 percent below the poverty level.

The families that are going to be sponsored write letters explaining their basic needs. After the children are registered, their information is given to individuals and companies who act as sponsors. The sponsors of the children select them from a list that provides the child’s age, sex and clothing sizes.

Every donation counts, Stamos said. “Even small donations or volunteering can make a big difference in the life of someone in need. You never know what impact you will have by serving others. These two programs make a big difference to those struggling to provide for their families during the holidays.”

For information about the Gift of the Drummer program, or to donate, call 801-428-1216, visit www.ccsutah.org or email drummer@ccsutah.org or giftofthedrummer@ccsutah.org.