For two decades, the Salado Family Relief Fund  has made Back to School, Christmas holidays and hard times better for Salado children and families.

The Salado Family Relief Fund helps more than 50 Salado families each year by providing Christmas presents to their children.  In 2014 the Salado community donated toys and gifts to Salado Family Relief Fund in order to provide Christmas gifts to 59 families for a total of 123 children.

Salado Family Relief will again be managing the Christmas Project,  whereby qualified families will be presented with toys and gifts for Christmas.

“We cannot do this without the generosity of our community,” said Renee Oas, President of the Salado Family Relief Fund board of directors and organizer of the Christmas project.

Civic groups, church groups and school groups are encouraged to adopt a family or a child during the Christmas drive. If you would like to “adopt” a child or family for Christmas, email Oas at cashmagnet@vvm.com to get your name on the list that you will be participating.

Contributions are accepted year round, send to:  Salado Family Relief Fund, P.O. Box 461, Salado, TX 76571.

The SFRF protects the identity of the children receiving the gifts. No groups or individuals will know the names of the children they have agreed to adopt.

The Empty Bowl Project held in November benefits the SFRF.  It is the only fundraising event held by the SFRF.

Local potter and avid SFRF supporter for many years Titia Arledge Califano, of Mud Pies Pottery, works with potters from around the state and local volunteers to provide the handmade pottery bowls for the one day  event.

Attendees get to purchase a handmade bowl as a keepsake and enjoy all-you-can-eat soup provided by local restaurants, bed and breakfast inns  and individuals who furnish their trademark soups in support of the day.

The annual Back-to-School drive provides school clothes and supplies to 150 Salado ISD students. During Back-to-School drive  families are given vouchers for clothing and school supplies.

In 2015 The Salado Chamber of Commerce helped provide new shoes for students going back to school through the Midnight Madness 5K in August.

None of these projects would be possible without the support of local churches, civic groups, school groups and individuals who give of their time and money each year.

Since forming, the Fund has helped families in a variety of ways, including temporary assistance for medicines, rent, clothing, food and other necessities. “We never give out cash,” said Mary Catherine Ervin, retiring director and Past President of the SFRF, “but we will always try to work to find a solution or a way we can help.”

The Fund has established a school supply bank at the school, administered by the Communities in Schools.

The SFRF also ensures that children get a hot meal at school by working with cafeteria staff.

It is never too late to become an active member with this organizations. Contact any board member to let them know you are willing to give of your time to further the efforts of the Salado Family Relief Fund.