It is great to see, during the holiday season, that Belmont County organizations continue to think about their neighbors in need.

This time, the Belmont County NAACP, the Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services, Local AFSCME 3073, and Belmont County Unify came together recently to provide Aldi gift cards to residents in need. More than $5,000 was raised by the coalition, and the gift cards will be given out to Belmont County residents who are SNAP benefit recipients.

Those residents each will receive $40 gift cards to Aldi — which happens to be just enough to buy a full Thanksgiving dinner complete with a 14-pound turkey –so those in need of help will be sure to have a nice dinner on that day.

Organizers said the giveaway was born from the federal government shutdown, which froze SNAP benefits while government offices remained closed. Though the government has reopened and SNAP funds have returned to people’s accounts, the organizers still wanted to help.

Regis is correct. The shutdown is just one example of an unfortunate surprise that could send families in need teetering on the brink. Car trouble, medical emergencies and major home repairs all can throw families into turmoil, especially those already needing assistance. Gestures like these Aldi cards let people know that, in their toughest moments, there are people looking out for them.

It’s another example of neighbors helping neighbors in the Ohio Valley. Many individuals and groups are doing what they can. The Bethlehem Apostolic Temple will host its annual Thanksgiving giveaway Saturday. On Wednesday, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office and Triadelphia and Valley Grove volunteer fire departments are holding a “stuff the truck” event for survivors of this summer’s deadly flash floods.

If you can, please try to help those who are helping others. Make everyone’s holiday season bright.