The Columbian is making it easy for you to help take care of some neighbors in need this holiday season.
Our People In Need program is kicking off its 32nd year of collecting donations Tuesday — with an envelope inserted into this newspaper.
Give whatever you can and mail it back in. The Columbian forwards your donations straight to the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington and its People In Need family fund, which was started by Columbian publisher Don Campbell in 1979.
About a quarter of that fund goes to the Salvation Army of Clark County and its Adopt-A-Family program. The local branch of the nationwide Christian charity provides assistance of all sorts to people in need — from food boxes to emergency rent and utility assistance, to case management for people seeking stability and employment. The Salvation Army of Clark County recently reported a $250,000 budget shortfall, resulting in layoffs of four out of its 16 staff members. Now down to 12 staffers, the Salvation Army has also cut back on programs and is considering more cuts in the future.