Merced County gives back this holiday season

The season of giving is here and hundreds of Merced County residents are lending a hand to their neighbors in need.

Traditional holiday drives and community dinners organized by local churches, schools and nonprofits kicked off this month and many will continue into the New Year.

Several community groups and residents have teamed with the Merced County Rescue Mission, known to coordinate one of the larger Thanksgiving banquets for local families. The Rescue Mission also hosts a similar dinner on Christmas Eve.

Phil Schmauss, director of marketing and development at the Rescue Mission said that last year, the event fed nearly 800 people. In 2008, the event gathered more than 1,000 people. “The numbers have been decreasing; maybe that means people are in a little better position,” Schmauss said.

But the need still very much exists, he said. This year, the Thanksgiving banquet will be held at the American Legion Hall starting at 10 a.m. Community groups usually volunteer to do some of the cooking, Schmauss explained.

Many of the food items used for the banquet come from community food drives. Collection stations, arranged by agencies, are located throughout the city, including schools, the public defender’s office and Riggs Ambulance Service office. People also can drop off goods at the Rescue Mission office on Canal Street.

Organizers plan on serving 120 turkeys for Thanksgiving. The Rescue Mission is still in need of items, including ham, pans in which to cook the turkeys, plastic wrap, foil, potatoes and trash bags.

“This isn’t just for homeless individuals,” Schamuss said. “There are families struggling to pay rent. For some, this is the only way to have a traditional holiday dinner.”

The banquets are also an opportunity to share time and conversations with those who often spend the holidays alone. This year, a group of volunteers will pick up elderly people on a buddy system to bring to the banquet.

The Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities and other partners are also coordinating a toy and clothing drive. Gifts are handed out to families during the holiday banquets, Schmauss said.

With a similar goal, United Way of Merced County is running a winter coat drive benefiting local families. Gently worn or new winter items, including coats, hats, gloves, boots, scarves and snow pants, can be dropped off at the United Way office at 658 W. Main St. According to the organization, all sizes are needed, especially children sizes and men’s XXL. The coat drive runs through Jan. 30.

On the other side of town, members of Gateway Community Church and other local churches began collecting shoeboxes filled with goods for children across the world. Operation Christmas Child is a national effort led by Christian humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse that has been sending boxes of joy to children overseas since 1993. Merced has participated for about 10 years, local organizers said.

The shoeboxes usually include school supplies, hygiene products, toys and hard candy.

“We’re doing what we can to spread kindness and the Christmas spirit,” said Dave Willson, one of the coordinators. “We want children everywhere to know that someone out there cares.” The shoeboxes are sent to countries such as Indonesia, Mongolia, Peru and the Philippines.

Last year, Merced County collected more than 5,000 boxes. Local organizers will be collecting shoeboxes every day from 1 to 4 p.m. until Monday at Gateway Community Church, 353 E. Donna Drive.

In Los Banos, educators and residents are preparing for its annual “Angel Tree” that is set up every year at the Coldwell Banker office at 645 Pacheco Blvd. For 30 years, the community has come together to provide local children with special, customized gifts.

Martie Lloyd, coordinator of the Angel Tree, said schoolteachers and faculty help come up with a list of students whose families may be struggling. The students’ names and gifts of choice are placed on the tree. Community members drop by, pick out a name and return with a gift.

“It’s a well-known tradition in Los Banos,” Lloyd said. “We have generous people that help us out every year.”

This year, the tree will be set up the day after Thanksgiving, and gifts will be distributed starting Dec. 19.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 6:43 PM with the headline "Merced County gives back this holiday season."