Operation Provider in Rimforest is active all year long, providing food and other assistance to those who need it. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, they gave out over 100 turkeys with the fixings to families in the mountain communities, making sure all families had the opportunity to have a happy Thanksgiving with their family.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, year-long, they provide needed weekly groceries to those families who want it. Since 1989, they have provided over a quarter of a million boxes of groceries to families, seniors and others. By filling tables and stomachs, Operation Provider fills hearts with love.
Now that the holiday season is in full swing they are looking forward to providing Christmas Day dinner on Monday, Dec. 25 at the Elks Lodge in Rimforest to those who want to celebrate with them. Santa will be there with some gifts, along with a full holiday dinner of ham and turkey.
Operation Provider is now accepting donation of turkeys and other items at this time and seeking those who would like to volunteer to come serve the meals to the families, said Holland Lowe, Operation Provider’s executive director. This free Christmas Day celebration is filled with dinner, dessert, entertainment and gifts for children and teens.
“We care about our communities and will do whatever we can for those in need,” Lowe told the Alpine Mountaineer, adding, “If you find yourself in a tight place, we are here to help.”
Operation Provider began in 1989 when Lowe became troubled by the problems of hunger she observed in low-income families and seniors who were living on a fixed income as prices rose in the mountain communities and the profound lack of services for those families locally. She discovered they were often overlooked or ignored by down-the-hill agencies, so Lowe founded Operation Provider. For the past 34 years she has worked tirelessly to bring help and hope to those who need her assistance.
As the largest food bank in the San Bernardino Mountains, Operation Provider serves 13 communities and 200 families with weekly groceries and provides for 350 families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays every year. It is 100-percent volunteer operated, paying no one a salary. They were just certified by the county for their transparent operation to the community. Operation Provider is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit relief agency. They get support from many local grocery stores and county agencies.
Utility assistance is offered by Operation Provider through a United Way program, in association with Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas. They also offer disaster relief services during major fires and economic crises and snowstorms. They have been centrally located to offer service to all the mountain communities in Rimforest for decades.
Operation Provider thanks the mountain communities for their generous spirit and donations this last year, as times have been difficult for many who suffered through the snowstorm. The damage to so many homes and buildings and the resulting economic after-effects that many are still experiencing remind us all that anyone can be unexpectedly affected by a disaster, an accident or other life-changing experience. This has encouraged many to open their hearts to help their fellow man, especially during the holidays.
Visit Operation Provider’s website at https://operationprovider.org for all the ways to get involved and help others, not just this holiday season but year-round. They do need extra volunteer servers and turkeys for this Christmas holiday dinner; call and volunteer yourself by calling (909) 337-8585 or sending an email to team@operationprovider.org. They also take financial donations though their website if you don’t have the time to donate but wish to assist.
“If you have the time, you can make a difference in the lives of others,” said Lowe.
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