Inflation has been pushing grocery bills higher, and that means Operation Santa Claus will have to raise more money this year to be able to help Western Pennsylvania families in need.
A holiday meal for a family of four that typically costs around $17.25 now is $20 or more, said Lindsay Bock, marketing director for Trib Total Media and Operation Santa Claus chairperson.
“The money’s not going as far,” she said, adding supply chain issues mean some menu items are being switched for others.
The nonprofit is in its 39th year of helping local families through a cooperative effort by Trib Total Media, Shop ’n Save, The Salvation Army and generous donors. This holiday season, the groups are hoping to raise $90,000, which will provide enough food for about 5,000 families across five counties in the region, including Westmoreland and Allegheny.
Grocery costs were 13% higher in September than the same month in 2021. The annual donation drive will begin Nov. 1.
Groceries are purchased through Shop ’n Save and packaged by volunteers before being shipped to participating Salvation Army locations and distributed to needy families. The bags contain a ham, canned vegetables, boxed potatoes and other items.
Shop ‘n Save’s independent owners are proud to be part of the effort to help local families, said Bill Lipsky, vice president of merchandising.
Debbie Bushey has been bringing members of Derry Area High School’s Interact Club to volunteer packing bags of groceries for about 25 years. The students, as many as 35 of them, work with adults and each other to gather the fixings and load them into trucks before covid precautions changed the process in the last couple years.
“I don’t think kids realize how much people in Westmoreland County are in need of food,” Bushey said, adding that it is a multifaceted learning experience.
Salvation Army Maj. Scott Flanders said his New Kensington location is hoping for about 350 meals.
“This is like an unexpected gift every year,” he said.
Rising costs have eaten into fixed incomes, prompting about 200 new clients last month to seek help at the service center, Flanders said.
Donation coupons will be published in Tribune-Review daily and weekly editions and $1 or $5 donation cards can be purchased at participating Shop ’n Save stores through Dec. 17. Donations are accepted online and more information can be found at osc.triblive.com.
Families also can contribute to Operation Santa Claus with a $5 donation for a “Letter from Santa.” Those requests must be received by Dec. 5, and the letters will be delivered by mail before Christmas.
New and gently used children’s books are also being sought. For more information on how to donate books, call 412-320-7872 or marketing@triblive.com.
