For the single mom struggling to make ends meet, the lonely senior who has recently lost a life-long companion, or the family whose father just lost his job, December could be the saddest time of the year. As you are out and about checking presents off your list and stocking up on dinner trimmings, consider spending a few dollars to help someone in need.

The slow economy has been tough on everyone this year, including on local charities that try to make holiday a little more bearable for those fallen on hard times. “Our needs are increased during the holidays because many people don’t come to us other times of they year, but at holidays they don’t want their kids left out,” said Central Kitsap Food Bank Executive Director Christine Bolinger.

If you touch someone with your kindness today, a perfect stranger may some day do the same for you.

Some of the needs the local food banks and other organizations have this month:

South Kitsap Helpline serves Port Orchard area residents, with half of them being children. Wanted: fresh produce like onions, apples, potatoes, carrots etc., and toys by Dec. 19. Drop off donations 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1351 Bay Street in Port Orchard. Volunteers to sort the toys are wanted on Dec. 21, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus hall on Mitchell Road. Call 360-876-4089.

The Salvation Army in Bremerton needs items for food baskets and the community Christmas dinner. Wanted: anything you’d like to see on your holiday dinner table, from hams to stuffing; extra turkeys and pies for the dinner; new toys for all ages; gift certificates for ages 13-14; and good used toys that parents can choose as extra gifts. Drop off donations Monday-Friday, 8-5, at 832 Sixth Street, before Dec. 15 for the baskets and by Dec. 23 for the dinner. Call 360-479-2695.

Central Kitsap Food Bank serves the Central Kitsap School District area, and more than half of those helped are children. Wanted: cash donations for buying hams etc; any food items that go with ham like olives and sweet potatoes, even turkeys, by Dec. 19. Frozen and dairy items are accepted, as well as personal hygiene basics. Drop off items Monday-Friday, 9-2, at 3790 NW Anderson Hill Road in Silverdale, or mail money donations to PO Box 748, Silverdale 98383. Call 360-692-9818.

Kitsap Sexual Assault Center, which provides crisis intervention, advocacy and therapy 24 hours a day, helps children and families during the holiday season with gift certificates to grocery or department stores, such as Target and Fred Meyer. Toys are also accepted, and parents get to wrap and present them to the kids. Other needs include stuffed animals — each child who is helped, interviewed or testifies receives a stuffed toy — as well as cash for therapy services for assault victims, a phone system and copy machine. To find out how to contribute, call 360-479-1788.

Bremerton Foodline needs Christmas dinner items, including any non-perishables, dairy and produce; and kids coats that they dry clean and distribute. Canned gravy, olives, pickles, potatoes, turkey and ham, canned fruit are some suggestions. Drop off items Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 1600 12th Street in Bremerton, by Dec. 19. Call 360-479-6188. Executive Director Hoyt Burrow would like to especially thank the community for their holiday caring, and notes that other months of the year are just as important.

United Way of KitsapCounty is a centralized agency that distributes funds to about 30 area charities serving human services and health needs, including food banks. Donations can be made through any participating employer, mailed to 2135 Sheridan Road, Suite D, Bremerton 98310, or online at www.unitedway-wa.org/kitsap. Call 360-377-8505.

Helpline House on Bainbridge Island provides holiday “stores” to adults and teens to get gifts for their families at no cost. Wanted: toys, gift items and gift certificates; non-perishable food items; cash contributions to support grocery vouchers and other needs. You can also buy 10-pack holiday cards for $15, designed by volunteer artist Bill Kooreman, with all proceeds going to the agency. Call 206-842-7621 for details.

Brother’s Keeper is a soup kitchen organized by the Family Church of God Pentecostal in Gorst that helps any Kitsap area resident in need. Wanted: cash, gifts for children of all ages, clothes, canned items like spam. Pastor Job Sepetaio says the organization does not have any partners aside from the church, and he and his wife often fill the needs from their own wallets. Call 360-782-1199, or drop off donations at 4211 Feigley Road in Gorst, next to Eaton College off Highway 3 (there is a drop box outside).

Chuckwagon is a meal program that serves area seniors and homebound elderly. Meals are served weekly at various sites at no cost to the seniors, and being 60 or older is the only qualification. Donations are welcome; the mailing address is 2817 Wheaton Way #208, Bremerton 98310. Call 888-877-8511.

North Kitsap Fishline sponsors a toyshop for families to select gifts for their children, and items for ages 10-14 are especially needed. The agency invites community members to “adopt a family” and provide everything needed for the Christmas dinner. An average $40 usually pays for a family of four, and each sponsor is matched with a special family. Additionally, baskets are provided to families who don’t get sponsors. Food items including ham and turkey as well as the toys should be dropped off by Dec. 19, Monday-Friday, 10-3, at 18916 Third Avenue in downtown Poulsbo. To adopt a family for the holiday, call 360-779-5190.