Holiday Help

If you are in need of assistance this holiday season, there are several community organizations you can contact for help.  Below are a few of the community organizations offering holiday help this year:

Boxes of Joy
Joining Hands Community Mission
3214 US Highway 19
Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 937-3268 - Ask for Nancy
Provides toys for children and needed personal items for adults.  Proof of West Pasco residency and meet poverty guidelines for eligibility.

Toys for Tots
Countywide
Christmas programs provided through the Marine Corps with DCF clients.  Eligible candidates must be current clients with the Department of Children & Families and submit an application to the DCF office.

Christmas Assistance
Salvation Army of West Pasco
8040 Washington St.
Port Richey, FL 34668
(727) 847-6321
Anyone in need of services who meets income guidelines.  Call for more information.

Opportunities for Giving

A couple of Pasco County agencies have set up donation drives.  If you live or work near one of these locations, please consider donating.

Holiday Food Basket Drive/Toys for Tots Drive
Pasco County Sheriff Office
Locations throughout the county
Collecting nonperishable food items, such as instant potatoes and canned vegetables.  Also collecting new, unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive.
For more information on locations and dates, click here or call the Citizen Support Services Office at 1-800-854-2862, ext. 7736.

Nonperishable Food Drive
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Rd.
Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040
Ongoing food drive benefiting The Volunteer Way.  Nonperishable food item donations can be left in the bin in the library's lobby.

Thanks for Giving

It's the holiday season, and already the Salvation Army bell ringers have taken up their posts outside some of our local stores.  Metropolitan Ministries has put up their donation tents here and there, and soon we will be seeing Angel Trees fully stocked with ornaments, each one representing a needy child's Christmas wish list.

This is the season of giving, but, especially in today's economy, people need assistance year-round.  One very successful food drive can keep a food pantry stocked with nonperishable items for 4-6 months.  Consider holding an ongoing food donation drive at your church or place of business.  The United Way of Pasco County has promotional materials you can use to advertise your food drive.  Click here for more information.

Whether its dropping some change in the Salvation Army bucket when you go shopping, picking up a prepackaged donation bag at Publix, or contributing to Toys for Tots or Metropolitan Ministries, please remember your fellow human beings this holiday season and year-round.  Thanks for giving.