Holiday Central provides holiday blessings for almost 200 local families seeking assistance

Holiday Central, a partnership between Mt. Vernon churches, businesses, organizations and community members, provided food for a Christmas dinner and cleaning supplies to almost 200 Mt. Vernon families during their distribution day at the MARC on Saturday, Dec. 7. About 80 volunteers helped in the massive undertaking of distributing the goods. To boost their efforts, DaisyBud’s Donuts provided donuts for the volunteers, while Keen Bean Coffee Roasters donated hot coffee.
 One hundred and twelve of the families that came also had children, so in addition to food and cleaning supplies, they were also able to pick up clothes and food for the kids, as well as wrapping paper so they could wrap gifts for their children to find under the Christmas tree.
“We have a toy room where the parents can actually come in and they choose the toys for their kids,” said coordinator Rachel Pendleton. “They get to choose what the kids would like, and we give them wrapping paper also, that the intermediate school kids donate. So, we’re able to give anywhere from three to five rolls of wrapping paper to each family. They get to take all their stuff home, and they get to wrap it up for their kids.”
Pendleton said many people who receive help through Holiday Central remark about how it helps them enjoy the holidays.
“I spoke with some people since the distribution day, and they have talked about how much they enjoy it,” she said. “It takes a little bit of stress off Christmas, knowing that they have toys for their kids, they have clothing, they’ve got food in their pantry for Christmas break, and they’ve got cleaning supplies; they’ve got laundry detergent. I just had someone say how much it took the stress off of Christmas knowing that at least a little bit of it was taken care of. It is definitely a need, and we are just glad that we get to bless these families with what they need.”
While volunteers handed out the food and other items to those in need, Pendleton said it’s the generosity of the community which made Holiday Central possible.
“We would like to say that we greatly appreciate the donations, because it would not happen without the donations,” she said. “It’s amazing the community we have, and how people just want to give.”
While the Holiday Central toy and clothing drives take place during November, Holiday Central accepts donations of any kind through the Chamber at any time of year.