Here’s how to help neighbors in need

A few days before Thanksgiving, The Telegraph reported food pantries throughout the state received generous donations despite the ailing economy.

In the last few weeks, the New Hampshire Food Bank has seen its average daily level of donations more than double from about 20,000 pounds of food a day to more than 45,000, a number up from last year’s donations, even though the New Hampshire unemployment rate is 6.8 percent up – 2.8 percent from a year ago.

That means 50,520 New Hampshire residents are out of work – 20,000 more than a year ago, according to the latest New Hampshire Employment Security statistics.

This is worrisome for programs such as The Telegraph Santa Fund that help financially bruised families in our community. Not only are there more people in need, but fewer people in the position to give.

There are more people needing help this year than ever before, said Rosemarie Dykeman, a social worker at the Nashua Salvation Army – which, along with the Nashua Pastoral Care Center, registers families and distributes gifts for The Telegraph Santa Fund, which officially kicks off this week.

Nashua Pastoral Care has signed up about 500 families for Santa Fund help, and Dykeman said the Salvation Army tally is up way over last year’s 500 total.

“We’re at about 600 and there’s a long, long waiting list,” she said. “In reality, we’re going to have to cut it off somewhere because I just don’t know if we’re going to have the resources to help all those who need it.

“The problem this year is that many of the families asking for help thought they were going to be able to make it, but now … they realize not only have things not gotten better, but actually have gotten worse, so they’re asking us for help. They’ve never needed help before, and hoped they wouldn’t have to ask.”

This year, 30 percent of those who signed up and qualified for help from The Telegraph Santa Fund have never asked for help before. In fact, some of them are former donors to the Santa Fund or similar programs and never dreamed they’d be on the receiving end.

Yes, The Telegraph is concerned, but confident that our readers will come through as they always have, using their talent and creativity to come up with ways to donate.

Nashua Salvation Army Major Carl Carvill said it all: “What better time of year to do a mitzvah than Christmas?”

We can’t think of a better time of year or time in history to get whole families involved in thinking about those who have to do without the most basics – winter clothes, food and gifts under the Christmas tree for their children.

The Santa Fund has always inspired local schoolteachers to raise money and teach lessons of empathy by encouraging students to collect pennies or new toys. Area churches have had their youth groups shop for and wrap Santa Fund gifts, giving as community service, and moms and dads who suggest their children ask Santa for one fewer gift for them and give it to someone else in need instead.

In the past, employees at local companies forfeited their Christmas parties and asked their employers to donate the money to the Santa Fund instead.

And artists have traditionally used their talents to raise money.

Dave DiGeronimo, a local house painter, handyman and head of the J-house 7 band, is putting on his second annual concert to raise money for The Telegraph Santa Fund. It will be at 7 p.m. Friday at Martha’s Exchange on Main Street, with 100 percent of the proceeds to be donated.

“Last year, we raised $2,500, and this year, our goal is $3,000,” DiGeronimo said. “Last year, we sold out, and we hope to do it again. Everyone in my band donates their time, someone volunteered to do sound, and Martha’s is donating the space and Sconstas Fine Jewelry and Home Decor has offered to sell tickets for us. It’s a group effort for a great cause.

“Individually, we probably couldn’t give this much money, but we can raise it together and give back to our community, help parents give their kids something for Christmas.”

If you have money to donate or new gifts to give, that’s great. If you don’t but have a talent or time, you can still give. Your killer cookies would sell big at a bake sale. House parties like Tupperware and Pampered Chef will allow a hostess to have the money sent to a favorite charity instead. Or maybe you could raffle off that quilt you made.

“As I’m sure all can understand, the need for the Santa Fund this year is greater than at any point in recent memory,” said Terry Williams, publisher of The Telegraph. “We hear from agencies of the unprecedented demand for help, of the overwhelming number of families put into crisis by lost jobs or some other misfortune.

“We can only hope that those who can contribute this year will do so, even if it’s in some small way. Believe me, small gestures are more critical than ever.”

The Santa Fund was established by The Telegraph in 1962 to help struggling parents provide gifts for their children during the holidays.

Tickets for the J-house 7 Santa Fund benefit concert are $15 and can be purchased at Sconstas Fine Jewelry & Home Decor, 169-173 Main St., or online at www.jhouse7.com.