Ho Ho Ho Project bringing joy to children in need
Bigfork Innovations Group Foundation (BIG) President Darcy Fast hands a check for $2,000 to Joni Isaman, bookkeeper for the Bigfork Food Bank and the Ho Ho Ho Project. (photo provided)
Every child should find a little something in their Christmas stocking, at least Bigfork local Debbie Ingram thinks so.
In 2019, she launched a grassroots project to provide a filled stocking to every youngster who utilized the Bigfork Food Bank. She amassed so many donations that she was able to load up dozens of backpacks, too.
This year Ingram hopes to reach even more children through what has become known as the Ho Ho Ho Project.
“This has grown into so much more than I ever expected it to be. I just wanted to help people and so many others decided to help along the way,” she said.
What started with 100 stockings and backpacks filled with a mixture of fun and practical presents -- personal hygiene products and snacks along with toys, stickers and cards -- has now become 150, with more donations coming in all the time.
“This community is always so giving and they just went crazy for this idea,” Ingram said.
The stockings will be filled with Christmas cheer in time for the food bank’s distribution day, which falls on Dec. 12.
Donations of stocking items will be accepted through Dec. 10 and can be dropped off at the Bigfork Food Bank.
Anyone who is interested in contributing to the effort or would like to receive a stocking is asked to contact Ingram at (406) 885-7714.