As the holiday season approaches, families are grappling with escalating childcare costs that leave many questioning the viability of returning to work. For Jennifer, a resident of Maidencreek Township, Pennsylvania, the decision to stay home with her three children stems from financial necessity. “If I were to go back to work, I would literally only be working to pay for childcare,” she explained. With childcare expenses rising, Jennifer’s family faces challenges in affording basic necessities.
Currently, Jennifer’s fiancé is the sole breadwinner, making it increasingly difficult to provide for their family. “I budget as much as I can to make the money stretch — going to discount grocery stores for the essentials,” she shared. The stark contrast between past and present grocery costs has left her nostalgic. “I remember going to the store with my mom when I was little, and $100 worth of groceries would fill the entire trunk. Now, $100 barely buys you enough to fill the back seat,” she lamented.
The strain of single-income living has led Jennifer to seek assistance. After a year of suffering in silence, her family connected with Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank. She expressed deep gratitude for the services offered, especially the convenience of pantry locations that allow for easy pickup. “With three kiddos, it can be tough going to the grocery store, so being able to just pop my trunk and get a box of food has been really helpful,” she said.
The experience has transformed Jennifer’s perspective on seeking help. “It’s OK to need help,” she stated. “Everyone — at some point or another — is going to struggle. It’s all part of being human.”
Operation Holiday’s Ongoing Mission to Assist Families
Since its inception in 1991, Operation Holiday has aimed to support families facing hardship during the festive season. The program, which began at The Mercury in Pottstown, ensures that families have food on the table and presents under the tree. Now in its 35th year, Operation Holiday has expanded its reach throughout Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties.
In the last year alone, nearly $85,000 in donations provided gift cards to 366 children and grocery cards to 189 families, along with cash donations to local food pantries. This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 21 agencies in the tri-county area, referring 199 families with 403 children for assistance. Notably, all funds raised remain local, with no overhead costs, and are managed by volunteers from MediaNews Group.
Families enrolled in the program receive gift cards for groceries, enabling them to purchase ingredients for holiday meals and pantry staples. Partnering with Weis Markets, Operation Holiday has facilitated food purchases and gift card distribution. Children aged 16 and younger in the program receive gift cards from Boscov’s, allowing families to select gifts of their choice.
How to Contribute to Operation Holiday
Operation Holiday relies entirely on reader contributions, which are tax-deductible. Donations can be made securely online through a partnership with TriCounty Community Network at https://tcnetwork.org/. Alternatively, checks can be mailed to various addresses associated with the program.
The names of all contributors will be published in participating newspapers as donations are received, with options to designate contributions as anonymous or in honor of someone special. As families like Jennifer’s navigate the complexities of financial strain, initiatives like Operation Holiday prove essential in providing support and relief during challenging times.
