I sat at the registration table in the food pantry, listening as the woman at the station beside me took the names and ages of children needing gifts this Christmas. The lady in front of her mentioned her teenage son, and the worker sighed and said, “I’m not sure we’ll be able to do anything for him this year. We’ll try.” As the disappointed mother turned to leave, I likewise felt sad knowing that teenagers need Christmas too.

Little children occupy our hearts and minds during the holidays, especially those who might miss out on the joys of the season because of their family’s financial situation. We long to do what we can to make this time of year the happy occasion for them that it should be. With our focus on the young ones, we tend to think that any older kids in such families should be content to go without any gifts or surprises at Christmas until the family finances improve. And most do so without complaint.

But teenagers feel the impact of financial struggles more strongly than do their younger siblings. Aware also of their parents’ worry and distress over the situation, they frequently carry burdens their shoulders weren’t meant to bear at such a young age. Your gift of any amount will go towards the purchase of gift cards for many such kids – a simple reminder that Christmas is all about the hope of a better tomorrow and the fresh start that the New Year brings.

Thank you in advance for any such encouragement you can give to a young person today. Whether you can help us at this time or not, may you have a blessed Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.