Help campaigns to lessen holiday hardship in Valley

With unemployment rising in the Mahoning Valley and 1,245 layoffs looming at the region’s largest employer, this holiday season promises to present distressing challenges for tens of thousands among us.

No, we’re not talking about the challenges of mustering up sufficient resources to lavish pricey gifts upon friends and family members. We’re talking about the most basic of human challenges of keeping families nourished with sufficient food on their tables each and every day.

Fortunately for all, a steadfast charitable organization has kicked into high gear once again this month to launch its annual holiday campaign to raise food and funds to lessen the pangs of hunger during the season of joy.

The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, along with many concerned community partners, will have its work cut out for it as all indicators point to escalating hardship and an increasing need for its services this season.

For example, the latest report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services shows joblessness – and its multitude of related adverse impacts – increasing markedly in the Valley. Youngstown and Warren rank highest in the state among all medium-sized and large cities with unemployment hovering near 8 percent – nearly double the national average.

Those figures likely will tick up even higher come January when an entire shift of workers at the Valley’s largest employer – GM Lordstown – are scheduled to be laid off permanently.

The food bank and its legion of supporters, however, are veterans at rising to daunting challenges. Over the past decade, demand for its essential services has continued to mushroom. Last year alone, the food bank distributed a record 10.4 million pounds of food to the hungry in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. That’s largely made possible because of this community’s signature selfless and charitable spirit.

Amidst that backdrop, one of the food bank’s most dependable partners kicked off the holiday season of giving this week. Citizens Bank donated $10,000 to provide 2,640 Thanksgiving chickens and other holiday food – or an estimated 10,560 meals – to local families in need.

PROJECT FEED OUR VALLEY

Paralleling that gift is an ongoing campaign over the next month. Project Feed Our Valley, spearheaded by 21 WFMJ- TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, enters its 10th year of success and ranks among the most productive for the food bank. Over that decade-long span, Project Feed Our Valley has provided more than 600,000 pounds of food and more than $600,000 to make the Christmas season a bit merrier for the multitudes of those down on their luck.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of ways to help to make this year’s PFOV drive the best yet. Visit the agency’s website (mahoning-valleysecondharvest.org) for information on how best to take part.

Special food and fund drives under the auspices of PFOV continue over the next month. Today, WFMJ personalities will accept donations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Super Kmart in Niles. PFOV and the food bank are especially seeking such nonperishable holiday foodstuffs as boxed mashed potatoes, gravy mixes, canned vegetables, boxed stuffing.

We encourage individuals and community groups to support PFOV and the broader holiday campaign of the Valley’s food bank. Their mission epitomizes the most noble spirit of the holiday season.