The Holiday Clearing House
The Holiday Clearing House is a program dedicated to building respectful community cooperation by coordinating the dispersal of holiday assistance to meet the needs of individuals and families in the Sioux Falls area through a centralized database. This program also connects donors, who provide gifts, food and household items, to families not served by any other holiday giving program.
The Holiday Clearing House began in 2003 as a coordinated community effort to serve families in need of holiday assistance in a more efficient manner, utilizing a centralized database of giving programs in our area including Sioux Falls Cares, Salvation Army, ICAP, & Children’s Inn. The Holiday Clearing House matches donors with families in need who are not served through other programs.
As a result of the Holiday Clearing House:
• The community avoids duplication of holiday assistance to needy families.
• The number of families receiving holiday assistance has increased.
• Sponsors and donors have increased the number of
families served through their support, thus enhancing
their ability to help more people.
In 2009, the Holiday Clearing House saw an increase of applications for assistance with a total of 1160. Through the generousity of community individuals, families, businesses, and organization, 617 families were adopted through the Holiday Clearing House. In addition, donors provided gifts to serve 658 teens through Teen Town.
Families that received holiday help shared their gratitude in their own words, like the ones below:
“Thank you for your kindness! Thank you for not only the money you spent but the time you took out of your life to go shopping for us! Thank you!”
“Thank you so much for making our Christmas so much better. I am a single parent and Christmas has always been very hard for me. I’m so glad to know there are people that care!”
“To who was so generous, considerate and loving during these extreme hard times. My family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Thank you for helping families in need this holiday season!