Show your true holiday spirit this year by giving to the Holiday Help for Families Program.

Now in its 20th year, the program will feature the collaboration of various community organizations, making it easier than ever to take advantage of holiday giving opportunities.

The East Troy Family and Community Resource Center and coordinator Marolyn Komperud have taken the reins of the new initiative.

The Holiday Help for Families program was established by the East Troy Community School District to assist families with children in the district who are unable to provide Christmas gifts for their families.

Last year, the Holiday Help for Families program provided hundreds of gifts to more than 30 East Troy families.

With a new organizational structure, the program is expected to serve more families in need this year.

“In the past, community organizations such as the East Troy School District, the Lions Club, the East Troy Food Pantry, the Lionesses and the Kiwanis, as well as different churches and businesses have worked to assist families in need to provide gifts and food over the Christmas holidays, but often as separate entities,” said Komperud.

“Mary Green, former social worker at East Troy Schools and coordinator of the Holiday Help program with the school district had a vision of that program merging with other community service organizations to form a more central, community based program to serve the Holiday Help needs of community members.”

Komperud said a consortium of organizations and community leaders began to meet over a year ago to decide what this program might look like and how it could transition smoothly from multiple programs to one community program.

“This new program currently involves organizations like the East Troy Food Pantry, Lions, Lioness, East Troy Manor, East Troy Community School District, Woman’s Club, First Citizens State Bank, St. James Methodist Church, St. Peter’s Church and School, Helping Hands of St. Peter’s, Good Shepherd Church, East Troy Bible Church, Kiwanis Club, and Associated Bank,” according to Komperud.

“Perspective families in need of this program will still be referred by the school district, the food pantry, Helping Hands of St. Peter’s and other venues; however the interview forms will all be uniform and a master list of clients will be maintained,” she said

Here’s the program’s complete guide to gift giving for local families living in poverty.

1. Toy drive

The East Troy Lions Club is collecting gifts for children birth to 16 years of age for its annual toy drive.

Donations can be dropped off at the following locations: Citizens Bank of Mukwonago, Dollar General, First Citizens State Bank and Frank’s Piggly Wiggly East Troy. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 15.

The Lions have been organizing the drive for more than 27 years.

2. Gift giving trees

Giving trees to purchase gifts for local children will be located at East Troy Bible Church, Good Shepherd Church, St. James United Methodist Church and St. Peter’s Catholic Church and School with collections due by Dec. 12.

3. Secret Santa for East Troy Manor

Associated Bank is seeking East Troy community members/groups to serve as secret Santas by purchasing gifts for residents of East Troy Manor. A gift-giving tree will be located inside the bank lobby at 3292 Main St., through Dec. 12.

4. Winter clothing drive

The East Troy Lioness Club will be collecting hats, gloves, socks and slippers at First Citizens State Bank-East Troy Office through Dec. 1.

St. James United Methodist Church will also be collecting hats, gloves and mittens through Dec. 12.

5. Feed the hungry

The East Troy Food Pantry accepts non-perishable food items year-round. In addition to canned or packaged food, items such as paper towels, toilet paper, laundry and dish soaps and toiletries are also needed.

Donations may be dropped off during business hours: Tuesday 7:30-11 a.m. and Thursday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at 2847 Austin St. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 233, East Troy, WI 53120.

The pantry can be used once a month. Clients must live in the East Troy Community School District and meet U.S. Federal guidelines. Call (262) 642-HELP for more information.

Monetary donations for the Holiday Help Program can be sent to the East Troy Family Community Resource Center, PO Box 962, East Troy, WI 53120.

For more information or to confidentially request help for a family in need, contact Komperud at (262) 642-4900 or easttroyfamily@gmail.com