Bank of Cheer looking for more donations

With the delivery date of Bank of Cheer boxes loaded with food fast approaching, organizers of the project are hoping for a flurry of donations to help with the increased costs of purchasing the items needed to make Christmas a bit brighter for local families.

The Bank of Cheer is in its 67th year of operation and depends on donations from the public as volunteers come together to pack and then deliver boxes of food, which include canned foods, flour and other staples. The recipients also typically get a ham or turkey.

It has become a Christmas tradition for local residents, community organizations, churches and other groups to make a donation to Bank of Cheer. Donors know that 100 percent of their donations go to help the Bank of Cheer recipients. All labor, transportation expenses and the boxes provided by Dublin Farms for many years now are donated. The Moose Lodge in Belle Haven provides a location for packing and delivery.

Recipients are selected by community leaders, who confer with ministers, organizations and employees of Social Services departments to determine the families who most need help. Please do not call Social Services or the local media as they have no input for the selection of the recipients.