With the recession, the wallets of all of us fortunate to be employed are tighter; there's no doubt about that.
As tough as it is for many of us, it's a lot tougher for those families with unemployed, or partially employed breadwinners. Too many families may find themselves without a traditional turkey or ham dinner this Thanksgiving.
This year, there is a 20 percent increase in holiday requests at the Top of Utah Food Bank. The United Way of Northern Utah needs 270 more donated turkeys and more hams to meet these requests for a family's Thanksgiving meal.
The Standard-Examiner will be holding a turkey drive this week at its Quality Consignment Store at the newspaper, 332 Standard Way, in Business Depot Ogden.
Turkeys and other food items to be distributed to the needy by Catholic Community Services can be dropped off from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Those dropping off items will receive a free cookbook.
It's understandable that donations are down this year. As mentioned, many of us are living through uncertain times that include stagnant wages and fear of a job loss. More than 10 percent of us are unemployed, according to the feds, but add those who are partially employed or have stopped looking for work, and the number rises to 17.5 percent unemployment. There's no doubt. We're in a mood to save money.
By all means, be thrifty, but spare a few dollars to buy a turkey or ham and brighten the day of a young child, a senior citizen, and others who do not have the means for even a bird this Thanksgiving. The turkey doesn't have to be as big as the one Ebenezer Scrooge bought for Bob Cratchit's family. Even a regular-sized turkey will add holiday cheer to a recession-ravaged family.
And, as we have said, it doesn't have to be a turkey. The United Way accepts hams as well. Today and Friday, you can drop off a turkey or ham at the Ogden United Way of Northern Utah office, at 2955 Harrison Blvd., between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you have trouble finding the office, just look for the United Way's giant inflatable turkey on the roof!
If you can't make a donation this week, you can drop off turkeys and hams next week at the Catholic Community Services food bank in west Ogden at 2504 "F" Ave. For those who would like to conduct a food drive at their business, school or church, you can call CCS at (801) 394-5944 to get a donation barrel. It can be filled up with donations and returned to CCS.
Let's all do what we can to help.
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