Families in Princeton ISD who need help with Christmas gifts and a holiday meal can apply now through Princeton Gives, the district's community holiday assistance program.
Applications opened Oct. 14 and run through Friday, Nov. 20, The Princeton Herald reported. Families apply through the counselor at their child's campus, and the counselor's referral is how eligibility is decided, according to the district's program page. The Herald reported that families qualify if their children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
Princeton ISD students can be included, along with younger brothers and sisters who are not yet in school. Each participating family gets Christmas gifts for the children and a box of food.
Where it came from
The effort was known as Angel Tree for 17 years before it was renamed Princeton Gives last year, the Herald said. It began as the district transportation department's "Fill the Bus" drive and is now the Princeton Lions Club's signature local service project.
How to help
Sponsors can pick a child or a whole family from the district's online list or from a tree at participating locations. The suggested amount is $75 per child for new, unwrapped gifts. People who would rather not shop can give the money, and volunteers will buy the gifts. Smaller gifts of cash are combined with others, according to the Herald.
