Ellen Stevens is hoping that holiday donations are just a little late this year.
Each year, the Christmas Holiday Bureau, which began 62 years ago, collects donations to provide gift cards to Lackawanna County families in need.
This year, Ms. Stevens, the community service director for the Voluntary Action Center, explained that the bureau is only about halfway to its goal of $70,000.
Each family must go through an interview process to become eligible for a gift card, she explained.
She plans to start sending gift cards out this week, and in the meantime, she hopes to see more donations.
"It's coming up so quickly - the holidays - maybe folks aren't thinking yet of donations and just need a gentle reminder," she said. "It is still early, but I think everybody is struggling. There is a lot less to go around. Folks have to make careful choices."
Even the smallest donation of $1 is welcome, she said, adding that donations will be accepted through Christmas.
"The need is there. We probably have almost 1,000 families waiting," she said, which is an average number. "They're not getting a huge amount of money as it is, but we may have to cut back on what they get."
The gift cards are a way of empowering families in the area, said 25-year bureau volunteer Letha Reinheimer of Clarks Summit, who, along with her husband, Kenneth, head this year's project.
"You're able to feel like you're a shopper because you're going to go out to shop and make decisions for your family," she said, explaining the difference between the gift card program and other organizations that give toys and gifts.
Those organizations are also important, but it can lead to competition for donor dollars, she said. Mrs. Reinheimer said she and her husband have always believed in helping others, even when they "feel the pinch," because ultimately, they have reaped the benefit.
"I think we all learned as children that the more you give, the more you receive," she said.
Donations can be sent to Christmas Holiday Bureau, Scranton Life Building - Suite 420, 538 Spruce St., Scranton, 18503.
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter