Donate to southern Colorado charities while you visit Christmas light displays

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - If you’re going out to look at holiday lights, consider stopping by and dropping off food or monetary donations at one local man’s home.

Mark Ingles, a retired Air Force chaplain, decorated his home on Nugent Drive, near Barnes and Peterson in northeastern Colorado Springs for the 8th Annual Cans for Christmas food drive, to raise money and donations for local charities this holiday season.

It takes Ingles’ about three weeks to set up his elaborate light display, that draws the attention of many. “I had so many people coming by to see the display and I thought, I want to do something more for the community,” said Ingles.

In 2014, Ingles collected 165 pounds of food for Care and Share Food Bank. In 2021, with the addition of donations to the Springs Rescue Mission, Ingles collected 2,700 pounds of food. To date, Ingles’ efforts have raised over 11,000 pounds of food to Care and Share over the years.

“Mark is an example of the impact that 1 person can have in making a difference for others... It always amazes me to find such caring people out there willing to step up and make a difference for their neighbors,” said Care and Share CEO Nate Springer.

Care and Share says the cost of groceries this holiday season are over 12% more expensive than last year, which has moved a number of working-class families into need for the first time this year.

“The past two years have been a crazy time for this world, not just Colorado Springs... the need was much, much more than it had been in years before. Even as we’re coming out of the pandemic, but also as we’re struggling with higher costs... the need is definitely still there, if not, even more so this year,” said Ingles.

While stopping by Ingles’ home, you can bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations for Care and Share Food Bank and the Springs Rescue Mission. You can also donate online here.

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