CHRISTINE WHITECAR
Special to The Leader
As many families find themselves more in need than ever this holiday season, the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry has stepped up to help.
This year, the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry is hosting a family sponsorship program which allows members of the community to donate both Christmas gifts and food items to families in need.
“I feel the family sponsorship program is important during this pandemic because this is a time where so many people need help. Right now, so many families are struggling, so programs like the family sponsorship program are really essential,” said Fredonia student and Rural Ministry team member Danielle McCartney.
McCartney continued, “As many people cannot afford to buy Christmas gifts for their families or even put food on the table, the Rural Ministry’s program allows families a way to provide both food and presents. I also think it is so important because it is so community-oriented. It’s really one neighbor helping another and the work the Rural Ministry does makes this possible.”
McCartney and her team have worked with the Rural Ministry since September. The Family Sponsorship program only began this year, and the Rural Ministry uses tools like social media to promote its services.
“The last few weeks we have been focused on making sure to spread the word about the Rural Ministry and their services in preparation for the Family Sponsorship program, which is one of the Ministry’s biggest and most important programs,” said McCartney.
Those who would like to sponsor a family must fill out an application by Dec. 14, which can be done on the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry’s website.
The application should be copied and pasted into a separate document and sent to the executive director of the Rural Ministry, Kathleen Peterson, at ccrmkp@gmail.com.
Applicants are required to provide contact information, information about means of delivery of the donated gifts and food items as well as information about the family they wish to sponsor.
Families who are interested in receiving gifts and food items can sign up to receive a sponsorship on Dec. 7 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the CCRM office on 319 Washington Ave. in Dunkirk.
If interested in signing up, proof of residence, proof of income and social security cards are required for all family members.