United Way of the Yampa Valley is asking community members to donate $25 grocery gift cards from City Market or Safeway to help families in need this holiday season.

“For our families that struggle financially throughout the year, the holidays can be especially difficult,” said Erin Walker, Routt County community impact manager at United Way. “Our Holiday Food Card Drive is designed to help alleviate holiday stress by collecting local grocery gift cards to provide a week’s worth of groceries.”

Walker said nominations for families to receive gift cards were received through human services agencies and schools. This year, United Way is trying to fill the need in Routt County for almost 1,200 grocery cards.

Grocery gift cards purchased by community members can be dropped off through Dec. 9 at the United Way office in downtown Steamboat Springs at 443 Oak St.

Monetary donations toward the need can be submitted online by choosing the drop-down designation “Holiday Food Card Drive Routt” at UnitedWayoftheyampavalleydonate.kindful.com.