In the spirit of things 2024
Holiday greetings and good tidings to all
By Christina Reed
The Hired Pen
Eastern California—Holiday greetings, and good tidings (news) for all. The spirit of giving continues into the new year and beyond, and some of the traditional elements of the holidays are being hosted by our local Salvation Army, and a Christmas Dinner at the Tri-County Fairgrounds for residents, on Christmas Day, from 2-5 PM (dinner is served between 2-4 PM and bring a dessert), and finally, the Bishop Elks’ Lodge is celebrating the New Year with a party on Tuesday, December 31, from 5 PM (bar opens), dinner is at 6:30 PM, and the countdown champagne toast starts at 9 PM 9 (to coincide with the New York City, midnight hour). Space for this last event is limited (call Carmen at 760-873-3221).
The Salvation Army- “Wherever there is a need in Bishop”
The new Bishop Salvation Army Service Center, new location at 137 S. Main Street in Bishop, CA, has been open since May of 2024, and it serves as a hub for many of the essential services needed for the communities. Casey Jasaitis, the Service Center Coordinator, says the new building will allow for expanded services in the future. There are plans in the works for a larger food pantry, and also creating a fully operational kitchen. “People are finding their way to the services,” notes Jasaitis, and this month has been chocked full of excitement with the annual toy drive finishing up recently. There are also the Red Kettle Bell Ringers, which are a traditional part of the Salvation Army’s holidays donations.
The Salvation Army “runs on volunteers,” says Jasaitis, and they are in need of volunteers for all of their functions. Some of the many activities that involve volunteers are the Easter Egg Hunt, the Halloween Fall Festival, and other seasonal events, like Stuff-a-Bus at the holidays.
The Salvation Army also has a new emergency food truck / canteen, which was showcased in the recent Christmas parade in Bishop. The truck is used for emergency situations, when feeding those in the emergencies is needed. During the parade, the Salvation Army’s canteen served up hot chocolate.
Locally, the Bishop Service Center is partnering with the Northern Nevada Food Bank, to bring more food pantry items to the center. There are a number of other Salvation Army small offices in Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining, Lone Pine, and Independence, however, the main source of resources is the Bishop Service Center. And, Jasaitis adds, the Salvation Army recently donated food to the high school and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bishop. Further, Jasaitis notes the Bishop Service Center is actively looking into grants for more food pantry items / availabilities in Inyo and Mono Counties.
¡Enhorabuena!