Open your hearts, wallets this holiday season

You do not have to see some government report to show you that there are hundreds of families hurting this holiday season. The lines at the food pantries are enough.

Porterville residents, like residents in many communities, step up during the holidays to help others. There are numerous food and toy drives, not to mention a few clothing drives ongoing right now. There are several opportunities for residents to step up, open their hearts and their wallets to help others.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, more than 108,000 peopled lived in poverty in Tulare County as of 2010, or roughly about 20 percent of the population. For those under the age of 18, the picture is bleaker. According to the Census, of those under the age of 18, 34 percent live in poverty.

The median income for families in Tulare County as of 2010 was $42,377, about $15,000 less than the California average.

Porterville is among the poorest of the poor.

Get the picture. People need help.

There are many ways you can help. One is The Recorder and KTIP radio’s Cage the Hunger food drive that again will support Love INC in providing food baskets for Christmas. There are also Toys for Tots drives, El Granito Foundation, Helping Hands and others who are doing what they can to brighten Christmas for others.

If you want to donate food, preferably canned food items, it can be dropped off at The Recorder office, 115 E. Oak Ave., or at KTIP, 1660 N. Newcomb St. There are numerous Toys for Tots barrels around town, including one at The Recorder office. There are also Toys for Military Children toy drives to help children whose parents are overseas.

The greatest gift is giving, so give yourself that greatest gift and give to one of the many efforts around town to help others enjoy the holiday season, and encourage others to do so as well.