Rising costs could increase need for help for the holidays posted on 11/01/2022
Carol Norgard, one of the organizers of the yearly Hoodland
Community Christmas Basket Program, notes that the need for food and other
necessities on the Mountain this year may be more than ever, citing how the
increased prices of gas and food have made things challenging.
“(They’re) the two things that people need,” Norgard said.
“Their money is not getting as far.”
That’s where the baskets come in, offering help to those who
need it, including food, personal hygiene items and gifts for children up to 18
years old during the holiday season. Applications for the baskets were expected
to be available in late October and to be returned by Monday, Dec. 5.
Organizers estimated that there could be up to 150 families
applying for baskets this year.
For those who can help, donations including canned food,
hair brushes, tooth brushes, tooth paste, hand soap and shampoo, as well as age
appropriate gifts for the children are needed (giving trees at various
locations will have tags that include a child’s age and present wish). Canned
food should have an expiration date of 2023 and later.
Norgard noted that when it comes to what items are most
needed, every year is different, while the organizers typically buy a good
amount of spaghetti sauce and cereal. Two items that she enjoys giving the most
are cranberry sauce and olives.
“It’s one of those Christmassy things,” she said.
The program began in 1987 and serves approximately 400
people a year in the community, including areas from Cherryville through
Government Camp. Baskets will be available to be picked up on Friday, Dec. 16
and Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Mt. Hood Lions Club building, 24730 E. Woodsey Way
in Welches.
In addition to donations, volunteers are also needed,
included people to help organize the boxes between Wednesday, Dec. 14 and
Saturday, Dec. 17. A signup sheet for volunteer help is expected to be posted
on www.signup.com soon.
Monetary donations may also be made to: Hoodland Community
Christmas Baskets, PO Box 74, Welches 97067.
Applications can be returned to: Welches Mountain Building
Supply*, 67250 Hwy. 26; Clackamas County Bank*, 67403 Hwy. 26; Hoodland
Library, 24525 Welches Road; Welches Schools*, 24901 Salmon River Road; Smoke
on the Mountain, 23860 Arrah Wanna Blvd.; Welches Liquor Store* in the Hoodland
Shopping Center, 68254 Hwy. 26; Coffee House 26*, 67211 Hwy. 26; or Hoodland
Fire District’s main station, 69634 Hwy. 26.
* denotes locations as also have giving trees.
Dollar General, 24888 E. Salmon River Road, has a giving
tree, while the library has a giving tree for scarves, mittens and hats. Any
location that has a tree can also receive toy and food donations.
Additional barrels for food and toy donations are located at
the Brightwood Store, 63065 Brightwood Bridge Road; Govy General Store, 30521
E. Meldrum Street in Government Camp; Skyway Bar and Grill, 71545 Hwy. 26; and
Coffee Brewsters and the Hoodland Thriftway, both in the Hoodland Shopping
Center.
For more information, call Carol Norgard at 503-622-3256.
By Garth Guibord/MT | 
