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Fund drive sets $55,000 goal to help Merced families

Sun-Star Staff
Josh Rogers, 17, of Atwater chats with Merced resident Vivian Williams, 56, while carrying a box of food to her vehicle during the Salvation Army’s food giveaway last year. Volunteers prepared about 300 boxes with food such as bread, chicken, potatoes, corn, green beans, apples and rice, to be given away.
Josh Rogers, 17, of Atwater chats with Merced resident Vivian Williams, 56, while carrying a box of food to her vehicle during the Salvation Army’s food giveaway last year. Volunteers prepared about 300 boxes with food such as bread, chicken, potatoes, corn, green beans, apples and rice, to be given away. Andrew Kuhn Sun-Star file

December is the season for giving and, for many cash-strapped families, it is a time they count on receiving a bit of help.

This month marks the season for A Helping Hand at Christmas, a campaign led by The Salvation Army and the Merced Sun-Star to help residents who are struggling to meet basic needs such as having a warm home and food for their children.

Donations go to Merced families. The Salvation Army interviews all applicants and administers all money received.

This year, coordinators hope to raise at least $55,000 during the fund drive, which will run for the entire month.

The cooperative program was started in 1987 by the late John Wainwright of Merced in cooperation with Sun-Star management. So far, it has raised more than $1.27 million. Last year, A Helping Hand at Christmas raised $52,275.

Donations may be made at the Merced office of The Salvation Army or at the Merced Sun-Star. Checks payable to A Helping Hand at Christmas may be mailed to The Salvation Army at 23 W. Alexander Ave., PMB 68, Merced, CA 95348.

A payment slip is published today at the bottom of page 1A of the Merced Sun-Star. They also are available through The Salvation Army.

This story was originally published December 1, 2015 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Fund drive sets $55,000 goal to help Merced families."

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