Today marks the start of The Herald Good News Fund’s 16th annual drive that will provide turkeys for Christmas to families that ordinarily would be unable to afford such a holiday staple.
The year-round fund is affiliated with the Community Foundation of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, created by local community leaders to benefit the entire Mercer County area.
Because the foundation is tax-exempt, all donations to the fund are tax-deductible. Turkeys will be provided to local families through the Community Food Warehouse of the Shenango Valley and its network of pantries.
In its first 15 years, the fund has generated more than $145,000, all of which has bought more than 17,000 turkeys and other food for the needy. For its 2008 food drive, the fund has set a goal of buying 1,000 turkeys for distribution in the area.
Throughout its history, the fund has garnered most of its contributions from hundreds of local families and several professional offices and businesses.
Turkeys will be bought through Magnotto’s Shop ’n Save and Michael Magnotto, president of the Hermitage grocery store, will provide them at his cost, as he has since the fund’s inception.
As the fund appeal moves through the holiday season, donors will be acknowledged in The Herald.
People wanting to make a tax-free contribution should make their checks payable to The Good News Fund and mail them in care of The Herald, Box 51, Sharon 16146. Contributions may be dropped off at The Herald office, 52 S. Dock St. in Sharon.
The fund offers readers the option of making a donation in the name of a friend or family member as a holiday gift idea.
Being a member of the foundation not only gives the fund tax-exempt status, it assures donors of strictest accountability and conformity to Internal Revenue Service regulations.
The turkeys are distributed through these area pantries: Farrell - Prince of Peace Center; Greenville - Good Shepherd Center and the Salvation Army; Grove City - Grace Community Food Pantry; Hermitage - Holy Cross Orthodox Church; Jamestown - Jamestown Food Pantry, and Mercer - Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry.
And in New Wilmington - New Life Baptist Church; Sharon - Christ Lutheran Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Episcopal Community Services, First Baptist Church, St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, Sts. Peter and Paul Evangelical Church and the Salvation Army; and Stoneboro - Lakeview Helping Hands Center.
