The elf is out again this year at Goodwin’s Market, as well as at Stater Bros., collecting funds for Operation Provider, which has provided assistance and help to those in need since 1989. They offer a weekly food bank in Rimforest and have already provided over 250,000 boxes of food for mountain families and they offer help with utility bills and disaster assistance. They currently help 200 families each week and have provided food and services to even more since the pandemic began. The need is even greater this year.

The elf bell-ringer will be accepting donations for Operation Provider through the holidays. See their website at www.operationprovider.org to view the many ways they assist the community. The 100 percent volunteer-driven group requests that you donate at the “kettle” while shopping this season as it will benefit so many in the mountain communities. (Photo by Rhea-Frances Tetley)