This Christmas especially, let’s support our neighbors

The holidays are always a special time of year to join friends and family, give thanks and make new cherished memories. But for many families, this year is particularly difficult. Hard-working Americans all over the country are struggling to make ends meet. That’s why the Republican National Committee and so many others are giving back to communities this season. 

At every turn this past year, Americans have been met with obstacles. Prices are up for nearly everything, whether it’s gas, groceries or gifts. Last month, consumer prices increased by 6.8 percent — the largest annual increase in over 39 years. While prices continue to rise, real wages have plummeted 2.3 percent. In fact, 71 percent of households making less than $40,000 have experienced financial hardship due to inflation. To make matters worse, a supply chain crisis is emptying store shelves all over the country. Much of this is fueled by a labor shortage created by Democrats’ pandemic policies that paid people not to return to work.

But these issues aren’t just hitting families. They’re also affecting the charities dedicated to helping them. Family Giving Tree, a California-based nonprofit, says it’s been difficult to find the toys they need for their gift drives. Other charities that serve kids in need say they’re coming up short on electronics like laptops and video games, with the supply chain crisis making these items increasingly hard to come by. Millions of toys that should be going under the tree are stuck off the coast of California and likely won’t be delivered until after Christmas.  

Meanwhile, food banks are dealing with the harsh reality of rising prices. One charity in the San Francisco Bay Area says it’s spending an additional $60,000 each month on food and is paying more to distribute less to those in need. Of course, that’s if they can even get the food to give away: Grocery stores are increasingly sparse and donations are slow.

Stories like these show how bad economic policies have real consequences for everyday Americans, which is why the RNC is doing everything we can to bridge the gap. From coast to coast, RNC staff are working to hold charity events in preparation for the holidays.

Last week, we held a toy drive at our Pennsylvania state headquarters where volunteers helped gather toys from donors all over the Keystone State and brought these to the local Toys for Tots center. In Laredo, Texas, the RNC organized a carnival and toy drive to benefit Save the Children. In Georgia, our College Park Black American Community Center collected and packaged 600 pounds of nonperishable food items, which were delivered to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. In Maine, residents drove carloads of goods to the state’s GOP headquarters for a food drive benefiting the Augusta Food Bank. And in Florida, volunteers at the RNC’s Hispanic Community Center assembled care packages and wrote letters for U.S. troops overseas, many of whom will be away from their families on Christmas.

Without a doubt, Americans help one another out during hard times. Our nation’s unique spirit of compassion and camaraderie is one of the most beautiful aspects of America, and there’s no better time to demonstrate it than during the holidays. In the spirit of giving — and in the spirit of the Christmas season — I encourage those who can afford it to join us in our effort to help out our neighbors this holiday season.

The world is weary. This Christmas, we’re grateful for the opportunity to help make our neighbors’ spirits a little brighter.

Ronna McDaniel is chairwoman of the Republican National Committee. Follow her on Twitter @GOPChairwoman.