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BOOK 99 PAGE 385 <br />THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS PROGRAM <br />The Board reviewed a Memorandum of September 26, 1996: <br />TO: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />DATE: September 26, 1996 <br />SUBJECT: Thanksgiving/Christmas Program <br />THROUGH: James E. Chandler, County Administrator <br />FROM: Joyce M. Johnston Carlson, Director IRC Welfare <br />DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS <br />The Thanksgiving/Christmas Program was reduced in 1995 from serving 300 families to 150 <br />families because of declining donations over the past four (4) years, and the increase in the <br />number of other programs similar to the Welfare Department's program. The following chart <br />shows this decline, including donations in 1995. <br />1991 <br />$10,395 <br />1992 <br />$ 7,495 <br />1993 <br />$ 5,945 <br />1994 <br />$ 5,135 <br />1995 <br />$ 2,385 <br />HISTORY <br />The Thanksgiving program served 300 families until 1995 when the number was reduced to 150 <br />families. These families received gift certificates, amount depending on the size of the family. <br />Families of I and 2 received $10.00, and larger families received $15.00. These certificates <br />were limited to purchase of food only. <br />The Christmas program serves these same 150 families, and provides gift certificates to each <br />family, a bag of food, and toys for each child under the age of 14. Again, the gift certificate <br />amount depended on family size. The size of the bag of food also depended on the family size. <br />These programs have always been provided for by donations from the community without <br />having to use tax dollars to support either the Thanksgiving or the Christmas programs. <br />When I became responsible for the programs in 1985, there was only one other agency, the <br />Salvation Army, that provided either Thanksgiving or Christmas for the general public. Some <br />churches provided for members of their congregation, but not the general public. In 1995 there <br />were 18 agencies that were doing everything from serving meals to providing similar programs <br />the Welfare Department was providing. <br />After the 1995 Thanksgiving/Christmas program was completed, 30 families who had been <br />denied by the Welfare Office were contacted and all of them had received food and/or food and <br />toys from at least one agency. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends discontinuation of the programs by the Welfare Department. Contact will <br />be made with those who in the past have donated food, dollars, and have volunteered their time <br />to the Welfare program, and suggest they contact one of the other agencies prow ding similar <br />programs. <br />OCTOBER 8, 1996 � - <br />