The holiday season for many involves nights in a heated home with loved ones, watching Christmas tree lights blink by the fireplace and enjoying a cupboard full of food.

To help those silent struggling people, many of whom make barely enough money to pay the rent and car insurance, the Hillsdale County Community Foundation has donated $65,000 to local agencies and food pantries.

In addition, the Food Bank of South Central Michigan is reminding people that donations are sorely needed and are tax–deductible.

“A recurring theme we hear in all community–wide meetings is that the food banks have shortages,” said Amber Yoder, youth and marketing coordinator for the Foundation. “We were trying to brainstorm the best way that we could help people through the winter months.”

The Foundation made its late November donation of $28,000 to the Salvation Army, a like amount to Community Action Agency and $37,000 to the Food Bank. That latter amount will be distributed among the nine food pantries in the county.

“We hope this will enable them to serve more people, that they won’t have to turn as many away,” Yoder said.

Those who want to follow the lead and donate money to the Food Bank may well receive a tax break. People who donate before Dec. 31 may receive a Michigan Tax Credit for up to half of the donation. For couples who file jointly, this could mean a $200 tax credit on a donation of $400.

The Food Bank reported that 43 percent of its clients — spread around eight counties — have to choose between paying necessary bills and eating. The Food Bank donated more than 800,000 pounds during the last four years to Hillsdale County residents.

“The need is greater than it’s ever been,” said Dan Salerno, fund development director with the Food Bank. “Donating here means your charitable donation goes farther ... It averts a crisis for a family in need.”

In 2006, the associated pantries with the Food Bank made dispersals to 92,000 people in 2006, 40 percent of whom were children. Donations can be mailed directly to PO Box 408, Battle Creek, MI 49016. Secure donations also can be made online at www.foodbankofscm.org.

Salerno said the Food Bank appreciates the Foundation and that such a large donation is unusual.

“It doesn’t happen very often that a foundation is that proactive,” he said. “It was a pleasant surprise.”

Benjamin Ray can be reached at (517) 437–6017 or benjamin.ray@hillsdale.net