Do you ever feel like you’ve taken two steps forward and one step back? Several of our letters to The Salvation Army are from families who are struggling to rise out of poverty, but in doing so, find themselves without a safety net.

For example, one family writes that they are no longer eligible for food stamps. They are now paying for rent, food and other household expenses. They’re afraid they won’t be able to provide holiday gifts because there will be little to no money lft after the bills are paid.

Becoming self-sufficient can be a long, arduous process for families. Although they are making enough money to maintain a household, that doesn’t mean there will be funds for gifts under the Christmas tree. Please join The Salvation Army in its crusade to support area families by contributing to the Santa’s Helper Fund today.

The following donors are helping us reach our $50,000 fund-raising goal:

An anonymous donor gave $1.20; Milton B. Silver donated $10 in memory of Abraham Silver; Anonymous in Oakfield contributed $10; The Good Sam Association Chapter 27 Road Runners of Maine sent $210 “to help make a better season for all”; and Cheryl L. Adams of Bangor gave $100 in memory of James H. Adams Jr.

Anonymous in Machias sent $100; Alfred and Betty Dow of Levant donated $25 in memory of their son, Terrence C. Dow; Tammy and John Bryant of Appleton contributed $50 in memory of Gertrude M. Bryant; Mary Ann Buck of Stillwater sent $50 in memory of her husband, Herbert Buck Sr.; and Rusty and Taylor of Brooks gave $20 in memory of Robert L. Stimpson.

Lorraine J. Roberts of Bangor donated $100 in memory of Charles W. Roberts; Larry and Hilda Shaw of Holden gave $25 in memory of Kate; Donna and Robert Wilson of Monson contributed $25; and Mr. and Mrs. Milford LeTourneau of Ashland donated $100 in memory of Dennis, Carol, Clyde and Bert.

Clarence and Bea Hamilton of Hermon contributed $50; Patricia and Glenn Bergey of Winterport sent $100; Selda and George Maxsimic of Orrington gave $30; Madeline Ellsworth of Bangor donated $25; Anonymous in Bangor gave $25; Lucille F. Cardin of Veazie contributed $25 in memory of her parents, Lloyd and Eva Farley of Castine; and Anonymous in Orono donated $25.

Thank you all for sharing with others this holiday season.

To support the Santa’s Helper Fund, send donations to P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. All contributors will be recognized in the Bangor Daily News unless anonymity is requested.