Samantha has never had to ask for help before now.
The 19-year-old was a standout student at Reading High School with her sights set on earning a college degree so she could give her children a better future than the one she had growing up in the Dominican Republic.
But that goal got a little harder to reach last year.
She found out that she was going to be a mother, and with the father out of the picture she knew she would have to work twice as hard to achieve her dream. So she has had to rely on her mother to help her take care of her son while she attends classes at Reading Area Community College.
“It’s been tough balancing being a new mom, being a student and working all at the same time,” she said. “We are trying to scrape by the best we can.”
Samantha, whose name has been changed to protect her privacy, said she quickly realized she would need more help if she wanted to continue on her path of higher education. She reached out to local organizations that could offer her support.
“I really want to stay in school because I want to show my son that you can do anything you put your mind to if you’re willing to work hard enough,” she said. “But sometimes that means not being afraid to ask for help.”
Thanks to the team at Helping Harvest, the food bank has provided her the necessities she needs to make sure her son never goes hungry. They also helped her fill out the paperwork she needs to apply for assistance through the federal government.
Samantha said she has been grateful for the compassion she has received during this very difficult time.
“There has been a lot of stress to make sure we have what we need,” she said. “But the kindness of others is really overwhelming at times. I know we’ll make it through this rough patch and get to the other side.”
History
Operation Holiday was started in 1991 at The Mercury in Pottstown to help families going through tough times provide something for their children during the holidays. The mission of the program is to make sure there is food on the table and gifts under the tree when Christmas morning comes.
Now in its 34th year, the program has served thousands of families throughout Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties, expanding its reach in recent years to include communities served by readers of the Reading Eagle, The Times Herald, The Reporter, and Daily Local News.
Nearly $90,000 in donations last year provided food and gifts for 419 children and 184 families, plus cash donations to food pantries in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.
This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 17 agencies in the tri-county area. Agencies have referred 189 families with 366 children for gifts and food.
There is no overhead with Operation Holiday and all funds stay local. Funds are collected and audited in a nonprofit foundation account managed by staff of MediaNews Group newspapers who volunteer their time.
Gift cards to area grocery stores are provided to each family for food, so that they can purchase the fixings for a holiday dinner as well as staples for the pantry. Weis Markets is a partner with Operation Holiday and has assisted with food purchases and gift cards.
Gift cards for every child in the program 16 years of age or younger are purchased through Boscov’s and distributed in partnership with the referring agencies so that families can purchase gifts of their choice.
Operation Holiday does not accept families who have not been referred by an agency. Operation Holiday is funded solely by reader contributions. All contributions are tax deductible.
How to donate
Online donations are being accepted in a secure portal in partnership with TriCounty Community Network. Visit https://tcnetwork.org/ and click on the link for Operation Holiday.
Contributions also can be mailed with checks payable to Operation Holiday to PO Box 1181, Pottstown PA 19464; The Reporter, 34 Susquehanna Ave., Suite 100, Lansdale PA 19446; Operation Holiday, 1440 Lacrosse Ave., Reading PA 19607.
The names of all contributors are published in the participating newspapers as donations are received. Please note whether a contribution should be designated as anonymous or given in tribute or in memory of someone.
Source: Berkshire mont
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