Tough economic times will force many families in Iowa to have a much different holiday this year. In eastern Iowa’s Linn County, the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, or HACAP, sponsors an annual “Adopt A Family” program.
Last year, only 400 families asked to be adopted. This year, 300 families have been matched with sponsors while 400 more families are on a waiting list for help. Deanna McLaud and a co-worker from Rockwell Collins are sponsoring a family of four from Marion. McLaud and Brenda Blevins had the family’s wish list in hand as they went shopping on Sunday.
“My family’s already blessed in many ways and we don’t really need or want for anything,” McLaud said. “So, it’s nice to help out a family that isn’t as blessed as we’ve been.” HACAP officials hope others come forward and adopt the remaining 400 families on the waiting list this week.
For more information, go to : www.hacap.org or call (319) 393-7811.
By Mark Geary, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids