Each year, the Spokesman Review newspaper collects funds for food, toys and candy for low income families. The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund accepts donations between Thanksgiving and Dec. 30 and provides publicity with daily articles about the project. Through the coordination efforts of Volunteers of America and Catholic Charities, the money is used to buy thousands of high-quality toys in January when prices are low. The remaining money is then used to open The Christmas Bureau for two weeks in December.

Needy families can come to the Bureau, held at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center (404 N. Havana) to pick out a toy and a book for each of their children for Christmas Day. Volunteers of America is able to provide these books, handed out by retired local teachers, through the support of Scholastic Books. In addition, each household receives a grocery-store voucher to stock the cupboards for the holidays. There are no income specifications for Bureau recipients. Anyone who thinks they need the help can come to Bureau. However, to help the Bureau minimize duplication or fraud, all recipients must bring current proof of identity, proof of residence and proof of dependents in residence.

The charities also gather and train more than 200 volunteers who help make the bureau run smoothly. The result is an opportunity for people in the greater Inland Northwest community to take care of their less-fortunate neighbors. The Christmas Bureau serves more than 30,000 area residents each year.

Learn more about Volunteers of America’s role in the Christmas Bureau: Christmas Fund Fills Literary Need

Giving

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Receiving

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