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Be a Guiding Light this Christmas

While many families are looking forward to opening gifts under the tree and enjoying a meal together this Christmas, some are dreading the day they can't provide this very experience for their loved ones.
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Not everyone has the financial means to make Christmas as merry as it should be, which is where the Guiding Light Food Bank comes in with its Adopt a Family for Christmas program. There are 55 families that have contacted Guiding Light this year, but there are only enough sponsors to cover 27 families. File photo.

While many families are looking forward to opening gifts under the tree and enjoying a meal together this Christmas, some are dreading the day they can't provide this very experience for their loved ones.

This year, 55 families have contacted the Guiding Light Food Bank, hoping to secure some help over the holidays.

Since 1995, Guiding Light has been running the Adopt a Family for Christmas Program, providing those families with enough food for the day, including a turkey for dinner, as well as gifts for everyone to unwrap.

So far, sponsors have taken care of 27 families. With the days to Christmas quickly decreasing, Kutcher is concerned some families will have to fend for themselves.

“The ones that we can't find sponsors for are going to have to figure out something for themselves,” Kutcher said. “They might not get Christmas.”

As far as Kutcher is concerned, that's unthinkable.

“We hope that's not the case,” he said. “I would never want to see a child go without.”

Kutcher said it takes about $300 to buy for a family of four. Sponsors are welcome to shop themselves, or get in touch with Guiding Light to request a shopper.

In the last year, Guiding Light has experienced its fair share of challenges. On March 31, 2012, Guiding Light Food Bank had to close its doors.

Since 1995, Kutcher had run the food bank from the Parisien Avenue home in New Sudbury he rented from Sudbury Housing Authority. Many of the approximately 300 families that regularly frequented Guiding Light also receive social housing assistance.

Kutcher learned of his impending eviction last December when Sudbury Housing issued a notice — one week before Christmas, no less — citing “overhousing” as the reason Guiding Light, and its operator, had to find new digs.

This spring, Kutcher moved to the Valley, where he is unable to house a food supply. He said he is currently looking for a facility in Sudbury in which to house the food bank. The process is well underway, with potential locations being looked at. Kutcher said he hopes he can find something soon — “I hope so,” he said.

Anyone interested in making a donation to help a family in need this Christmas is invited to contact Kutcher and Guiding Light at 705-524-0237 or email [email protected].

Donations must be made by Dec. 20.


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