CHIPPEWA VALLEY Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but for some families, the holidays can mean some financial difficulties. To help ensure everyone has an enjoyable holiday season, two organizations in western Wisconsin are working to provide free resources to the community.

“Right now, we have over 250 children sponsored for Christmas. Each child gets Christmas gifts. Each family receives a full Christmas meal, two family games, and each child gets a brand-new blanket, and each child gets a brand-new book.”

‘Helping Kids Around the Chippewa Valley Incorporated’ is a nonprofit providing free meals and gifts to families in the Chippewa Valley around Christmas. Another is ‘Strong Arm Helping Families’ out of Colfax.

“We provide clothing, food assistance, and resources. We do a lot of holiday assistance for families and hold multiple events throughout the year to allow families and kids to participate.”

Over Thanksgiving, Strong Arm helping families gave 58 dinner boxes to families in and around Colfax, but these two groups help families outside of the holidays too.

“We have winter gear that’s available at U-Haul Storage and Moving in Lake Hallie. It’s open seven days a week, so you’re able to drop off any new or gently used winter gear, and families that are in need are welcome to come here anytime during their business hours and take the items that they need.”

“We help with school supplies, and back to school clothing. We provide clothing year-round for seasonal winter coats. We also provide Easter assistance. We do easter baskets and Easter egg hunts”

Strong Arm Helping Families and Helping Kids Around the Chippewa Valley Incorporated are both funded through donations.