Every year during the holidays, the High Plains Helping Hands food pantry, located adjacent to Mountain Springs Church in Colorado Springs, ramps up its efforts to collect and distribute much-needed items to underprivileged families.Rose Mizer, executive director of HPHH, said the food pantry provided Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers for 409 kids and teenagers last year. Because their client base is always increasing, the pantry expects to serve about 450 kids and teenagers this year, she said.ìWe will probably also be giving out over 300 Christmas meats (like turkeys and hams) and food bags to families,î Mizer said.The Falcon Safeway is participating in the ìTurkey Bucksî program, which allows shoppers to purchase ìTurkey Bucksî in various dollar amounts, the ìbucksî will be donated to HPHH, she said. Safeway is also participating in the ìHelp Us End Hungerî Food Drive, which allows shoppers to purchase a pre-packed bag of groceries, Mizer said. Those bags will be split between HPHH and the Eastern Plains Community Pantry in Calhan, she said.The 10th annual HPHH Toy Drive began Nov. 11 and will run through Dec. 11, according to the HPHH website. Any new, unwrapped toys, games or gift cards appropriate for ages 1-15 are welcome and can be dropped off at the food pantry.Food and toy distribution dates: Dec. 15 and 17, from 9 a.m. ñ 3:30 p.m., and Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. ñ 11:15 a.m.
