NHNF Christmas funds now $14,600

 

 

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — Dozens of families in town will have a merrier Christmas season thanks to the countless volunteer hours provided by Christian Community Service and its North Reading Food Pantry.

In addition to another successful year of donations of gifts received through the Take-a-Tag program and the donations of “Christmas in a Box” filled with gift wrap, tissue paper, tape, ribbons, bows and hot chocolate from members of the Union Congregational Church, the North Reading Food Pantry provided more than 50 Christmas meal kits to its clients on Saturday. Families were given a choice of ham or turkey to create their own home cooked feast.

Such donations are made possible due to innumerable groups, schools, clubs, teams, businesses, families and individuals who believe in and support the mission of CCS year-round to help their neighbors in need when they have fallen on hard times. This group of supporters includes the readers of the North Reading Transcript, who have provided  their financial through the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund for 35 years!

This week, with the addition of $3,020 donated to the NHNF, the 2024 tally has risen to 14,600. This includes $500 donations from Kitty’s Restuarant, another $500 from an anonymous donor, and $300 in memory of the founders of this newspaper and the NHNF, Al and Fran Sylvia.

CCS is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization which operates the North Reading Food Pantry at 150 Haverhill St. and provides countless other services for its clients of all ages year-round. It’s operation costs have risen 20% in the past year so funds received will help CCS keep up with its expenses throughout the year. Currently, between 82 and 100 families seek their services each month.

The Transcript has extended our NHNF drive through to “Little Christmas,” which is Monday, January 6, 2025 to help spread the word.

All donations to the NHNF are passed along to CCS and all services provided by CCS are offered on the basis of financial need, not religious affiliation, if any. Requests for assistance are held in strict confidentiality.

CCS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and no one affiliated with this group has ever drawn a salary.

How to donate to NHNF

The Transcript will acknowledge each donation received in print and pass all donations to CCS. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law under the non-profit status of CCS. Those donating $250 or more automatically receive a receipt in the mail. Upon request, a receipt will be sent to those giving less than $250. The donor must provide a valid name and address for the receipt to be mailed.

If you wish to remain anonymous please indicate that fact in the memo area of your check. You may also make donations in honor of or in memory of friends or loved ones.

Make all checks payable to “CCS,” not the newspaper!

Checks may be mailed to: North Reading Transcript “NHNF,” 26 Albion St., Wakefield MA 01880. You may also drop them off in person to our office at the above address from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon-Thu or 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Fridays, or use the night drop box slot opposite the door facing Albion Street after hours.

Additionally, checks or cash may be dropped off in person to the Reading Cooperative Bank, 170 Park St. (next to Ryer’s). You must specify to the bank teller your intention to make a donation to the Transcript’s NHNF to ensure it is recorded on the daily tally sheet that is sent to us to acknowledge in the newspaper. You must also let them know whether to use your name in the newspaper or if you prefer to remain anonymous and if your donation is in honor of or in memory a loved one.

Please do not mail your checks overnight in any of the blue USPS mailboxes. It is much safer to mail letters inside the post office building during business hours or give it to your letter carrier to deliver.

Transcript 2024 NHNF donor list

• Merry Christmas from Kitty’s Restaurant– $500

• Anonymous Angel–$500

• In memory of Al and Fran Sylvia from Al Sylvia Jr.– $300

• In loving memory of the Carucci and Cody families– $250

• Anonymous Snowman– $250

• Helen Maynard & Dana Rudolph– $200

• George & Carolyn Stack– $200

• From Nancy Fenton–$150

• Robert L. Snyder– $100

• In loving memory of MarySue Giordano– $100

•  In memory of “Chippo” Merry Christmas from Eric & Ariel– $100

• From Freddie & Dolly– $100

• From Anne Lundell– $50

• From Winnie – $50

• From Roy & Chris Walters– $50

• In memory of Bev & Don– $50

• From John & Heather Sievers– $35

• From Mark and Kathleen Rooney– $25

• In memory of GiGi Benjamin–$10

WEEK 3 total………………………. $3,020

Previously acknowledged ………$11,580

New total………………………….. $14,600