Vernon comes through

By Darren Handschuh - CASTANET Dec 21, 2016 / 3:47 pm

Talk about coming through in a big way. Last week, Lisa Anderson with the Upper Room Mission, was stressed out about a backpack program that was falling way behind expectations. The goal was to collect 300 backpacks that would be handed out at the annual Christmas dinner this Friday, but as of last week, only 50 had been donated. Then the floodgates opened and the number of donated backpacks swelled to almost 700. “It was a little bit concerning at first,” Anderson admitted. “I was like, 'Oh man, what are we going to do?'” But when businesses and church groups started donating backpacks by the dozens, Anderson knew the annual Christmas program had been saved. What she didn't expect was the volume of backpacks that contain basic items such as toiletries and other goods. Anderson said they are expecting between 250 - 300 people at the Yuletide dinner, and each guest will get a backpack. “We're also going to give some to other agencies as well, such as Teen Junction,” she said. “We will save the extra ones to be handed out throughout the year.” The Christmas dinner starts at 4 p.m. Friday and Anderson said everyone is welcome.