A family working hard to make ends meet

Mateo and Rosalia are working hard to give their four children what they need to thrive.

Mateo works 12-hour shifts to bring home a paycheck.

Rosalia is tending to their infant and toddler, while also busy shuttling their two older children to an array of appointments with doctors and therapists needed because both have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

“We are a one-income household because it makes more sense for us financially if I stay at home with the children,” she said. “Our two oldest boys are both on the spectrum so it would be impossible to get them to all their appointments if I was working.”

Rosalia said that while Mateo has a steady job that pays well, the reality is the money just doesn’t stretch far enough these days.

“We rely heavily on food pantries to keep us fed,” she said. “And making sure they have full tummies is more important than keeping the lights on or paying the rent.”

Those food pantries are supported by Helping Harvest, which distributed more than $20 million in food to nearly 110,000 people in Berks and Schuylkill counties last year through its charitable network.

“There are times when we would have nothing to eat if it weren’t for Helping Harvest,” she said. “Everything is so expensive right now that we can’t make ends meet.”

Rosalia said there are a lot of families struggling through hardships just like hers, and reminded those who need a little assistance that they should not be afraid to reach out.

“I know there are people who are scared to be labeled as lazy if they ask for help but it should never be like that,” she said. “Feeding people is always OK. And we have no idea what other people may be going through.”

History

Operation Holiday was started in 1991 at The Mercury in Pottstown to help families going through tough times provide something for their children during the holidays. The mission of the program is to make sure there is food on the table and gifts under the tree when Christmas morning comes.

Now in its 35th year, the program has served thousands of families throughout Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties, expanding its reach in recent years to include communities served by readers of the Reading Eagle, The Times Herald, The Reporter, and Daily Local News.

Nearly $85,000 in donations last year provided gift cards to 366 children and grocery gift cards to 189 families, plus cash donations to food pantries in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.

This year, Operation Holiday has partnered with 21 agencies in the tri-county area. Agencies have referred 199 families with 403 children for gifts and food.

There is no overhead with Operation Holiday and all funds stay local. Funds are collected and audited in a nonprofit foundation account managed by staff of MediaNews Group who volunteer their time.

Gift cards to area grocery stores are provided to each family for food, so that they can purchase the fixings for a holiday dinner as well as staples for the pantry. Weis Markets is a partner with Operation Holiday and has assisted with food purchases and gift cards.

Gift cards for every child in the program 16 years of age or younger are purchased through Boscov’s and distributed in partnership with the referring agencies so families can purchase gifts of their choice.

Operation Holiday does not accept families who have not been referred by an agency.

Operation Holiday is funded solely by reader contributions. All contributions are tax deductible.

How to donate

Online donations are being accepted in a secure portal in partnership with TriCounty Community Network. Visit https://tcnetwork.org/ and click on the link for Operation Holiday.

Contributions also can be mailed with checks payable to Operation Holiday to P.O. Box 1181, Pottstown PA 19464; The Reporter, 34 Susquehanna Ave., Suite 100, Lansdale PA 19446; Operation Holiday, 1440 Lacrosse Ave., Reading PA 19607.

The names of all contributors are published in the participating newspapers as donations are received. Please note whether a contribution should be designated as anonymous or given in tribute or in memory of someone.