Neighbors Foundation sees tougher times on Grand Island

Editorial by Henry G. Kammerer

President

Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island Inc.

After several years of feeling that Grand Island was being spared the tough times that have dragged down Western New York and the country, the Neighbors Foundation now sees a much increased need for its help to Grand Islanders in temporary need. Whether local families have now exhausted their resources, or whether it is the shrinkage of government help services, our food and financial reserves are being depleted by recent increased calls for help.

The foundation is determined to continue the tradition of helping families in need at this 2011 holiday season with food and gift baskets, but earnestly asks the Grand Island community for extra support in our holiday "Share Your Happiness" fund drive through donations to P.O. Box 155, Grand Island, NY 14072.

In addition, as the GI schools and other groups have non-perishable food drives, increased generosity to those drives would greatly help those in need.

The Neighbors Foundation is an all-volunteer charity with IRS 501(c) 3 status, helping Grand Island families only through their times of temporary, emergency need with food baskets and partial payments toward rent and utility bill payments where appropriate.