Help for Hope seeks holiday assistance

    In just two weeks families will be gathering around the table for Thanksgiving dinner. To make the holiday feast attainable for everyone in the community, Help for Hope is asking for some assistance.
    For the past seven years Bonnie McDowell, vocal music instructor at the Coal City Unit 1 School District, and her students have organized a turkey collection among the district’s staff to benefit families in need. A couple years ago, the faculty at Reed-Custer School District 255-U picked up on the idea and began their own collection with all of the birds going to Hope for Help, a Coal City-based non-profit help center.
    Help for Hope distributes the turkeys to families throughout the area the week of Thanksgiving, and last year it provided 97 dinners to families in need.
    In addition to providing the turkeys, staff members from both schools have also helped by providing sides, but more is needed to ensure all families have enough on the table this Thanksgiving.
    Help for Hope is asking the community to assist them with putting dinner on the table by making donations of instant mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, boxes of flavored gelatin, as well as canned yams, corn and green beans.
    Donations can be dropped off at Help for Hope, 100 S. Baima St., Coal City, between 8:30 a.m. and noon Monday-Friday and Wednesday evenings between 4-6 p.m. Questions can be directed to Help for Hope at 815-518-2000.