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From an economic standpoint, these are challenging times. Few would disagree.
However, numerous families and individuals in Blair County have endured difficulties and financial suffering and hardships not of their own making over the course of numerous decades, even encompassing the time more than a half-century ago when the railroad industry was the main prosperity engine employing thousands of bread winners.
Many longtime residents still recall that not everyone lived within the realm of that railroad-inspired prosperity. The prospect of hunger was a real problem then; it remains a substantial concern now.
Over the decades, various entities stepped forward -- actually, still are stepping forward -- to try to address people's needs, but some entities have stood out in what they have been able to accomplish long-term.
One such entity is the St. Vincent de Paul Assumption Chapel Food Pantry, which has committed itself to reducing hunger in Altoona and Blair County for the past 40 years.
With the record of success St. Vincent de Paul Assumption has compiled over those four decades, it was a logical selection for this year's Season of Sharing campaign, the annual holiday appeal now in its 18th year for the benefit of nonprofits.
The campaign uses Altoona Mirror and altoonamirror.com, the expertise of the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation and residents' generosity to benefit an agency giving of itself tremendously to ultimately benefit hundreds or thousands of individuals and families in great need.
The word "thousands" is the right one for St. Vincent de Paul Assumption, which served 9,118 recipients from January through October, 1,031 of them during eight distribution days last month.
Meanwhile, the value of food dispensed during 2021 was $582,729.
This is the time of the year when many worthy entities are competing for area residents' charitable dollars, but those who have contributed to Season of Sharing in years past know that their contributions have been put to good work.
Last year's campaign raised $31,556 for the Blair County Library System, which helps enrich people's search for information and knowledge -- people of all ages. This year's campaign recognizes a community asset whose importance continues to grow as troubling economic conditions -- or merely bad luck, including the onset of disabilities -- undermine numerous lives.
Don Belsey, pantry director, described being selected as the Season of Sharing recipient "a godsend."
He emphasized the pantry's efforts toward seeking out the best buying opportunities to help maximize the number of people who can be served. Meanwhile, Belsey uses his multifaceted experiences, including as a sales representative for a large food service company, to build relationships with area merchants who donate food products.
The pantry provides meat, poultry, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits and breads that recipients use in meal preparation.
Again this year, funds raised by Season of Sharing will be administered by the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation. It is important that donors know that every dollar contributed will go to the food bank.
Be among those who will embrace satisfaction this holiday season knowing that they were part of helping a mission so important and meaningful for individuals less fortunate.