Happy holidays to all! Is this really the case for everybody living in Pottsville? The answer is no. Many in the area barely have enough money to buy dinner for their family or presents for their children. Multiple clubs have been conducting food drives and fundraisers to help those in need this holiday season.

Starting in the beginning of December, clubs began to organize their food basket donations. French Club, Spanish Club, Leo Club and AID were just a few of the clubs that conducted food drives.

“I think it’s important to donate food to the baskets because I believe it’s important to help those who cannot afford food for their families, and by us donating the baskets, it helps them out,” sophomore Emma Motto said.

Student Council has also been running Penny-a-Week. Members collected donations in their respective homerooms for about eight weeks to go toward the purchasing of toys for families that cannot afford them for their children for Christmas.

“Penny-a-Week is my favorite thing to do in Student Council,” senior Tayah Moore, Student Council treasurer, said. “We go out to Boscov’s and buy gifts for less fortunate families. We then wrap them and deliver them the day before Christmas break.

AID was just one of the clubs collecting food from its members to go toward filling the baskets.

“AID was putting together two Christmas baskets this year, and they will be donated to different families in the area,” Miss Meredith Coleman, AID adviser, said. “I believe that everyone should do what they can to help others; donating these baskets is one way that we can help to improve the holidays of those in need.”