Families visiting Christmas Bureau should come with proper ID

Christmas Bureau recipients with children face new ID requirements this year to secure toys and grocery money for their families.

In past years parents could use medical coupons issued by the state Department of Social and Health Services to show their children’s names, ages and addresses.

But DSHS has stopped issuing those paper coupons, issuing plastic swipe cards instead that don’t list the information.

So recipients must show one of the following for each child living with them to verify the child’s name, address and birth date:

• A letter on official letterhead from the child’s school or licensed day care center.

• A letter on official letterhead from the Department of Social and Health Services, another social service agency or a doctor’s office.

• A WIC folder – paperwork used by clients of the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program.

In addition, every adult recipient must show both of the following:

• Photo ID for the recipient and every person living with them who is 18 or older.

• Their latest utility bill, phone bill or rent receipt to show proof of their current address. Post office box addresses are not acceptable.

Social Security cards are not acceptable as ID for adults or children.

Would-be recipients who lack the proper verification may be issued tickets that allow them to reclaim their spots in line later if they decide to get the paperwork they need and come back.

The bureau provides one food voucher per address plus one gift and one book per child.

Bureau recipients need not prove their income – anyone who needs help is welcome.

New donations

Thanks to donations received since the end of last year’s Christmas Fund drive, the total raised stands at $26,453.78.

Colleen Gamroth donated $485.20 via PayPal, as did Gary Leva and Julie Shiflett.

Richard and Connie Stacey gave $400 through the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Spokane donated $250 in honor of Monsignor Frank Bach “and his work as our spiritual director.” The Barbara Augusta Gift Fund also donated $250, as did the Sons of Norway of Spokane, Tordenskjold Lodge.

The Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute gave $165.08. Wrote Executive Vice President Kinya Masugata: “The students of Mukogawa would like to express their gratitude to the Spokane community for providing them with valuable experiences of learning about American culture.”

Ann Marie Byrd, Shawn Nichols, Hannah and Delaney, all of Spokane, donated $150. Byrd wrote a note thanking the Spokane community, the Volunteers of America, Catholic Charities volunteers and The Spokesman-Review “for all their dedication and commitment to this most worthwhile event.”

The Woman’s Club of Spokane also gave $150. Treasurer Gail Cropper wrote a note thanking the club’s past presidents and other members for donating.

Giving $100 were Thom and Melinda George of Coeur d’Alene; E.R. Krauss of Spokane; W.G. and Marie Lindquist of Spokane; and an anonymous donor from Spokane who enclosed a note: “Keep up the good work!”

James Rivard donated $96.80 via PayPal.

The law firm GordonDerr LLP donated $50. Also giving $50 were Jim and Margaret Burke of Spokane; Carol Olson of Spokane; an anonymous donor in honor of Frances Risdon; and the Clevelands of Mead.

Wayne Hall donated $48.25 via PayPal.

Bill Kersey of Spokane gave $25.

Mary Novak of Spokane donated $22.50.

Duane Gleason of Hayden Lake donated $10.

The U-High Sunshine Committee donated $5.