Thanksgiving week brought good news on the economic front despite the ever-encroaching fiscal cliff.
The Gasparilla Gazette property transfers every week report real improvements to our hard-hit housing market with more listings and more sales.
Housing inventory has tightened, meaning the market glut has almost been removed as a dominant factor and home values can now rise more easily.
Article Photos
Thor Johnson
The Gazette also reported state unemployment numbers have dropped to a four-year low, including 8.5 percent in Lee County and Charlotte County.
The Gasparilla Island economy operates differently than much of the rest of Lee County yet it's clear we are better served as a tourist destination when our neighbors have jobs and spending money.
During this holiday season, those of us who can see a light at the end of the economic tunnel are asked to help those who are still dealing with bare cupboards.
To that end, the Harry Chapin Food Bank, which provided 3,000 Thanksgiving turkeys this year, continues to be a stalwart friend to the needy and Boca Grande is a staunch ally of HCFB. The Boca Grande Christmas Food Drive, which concludes Dec. 15, proves it year after year as does the taste of Boca Grande, which also benefits the food pantry.
It's a great charity. Last year Harry Chapin distributed 12.5 million pounds of food - more than 1 million pounds per month.
Donations are always welcome and always needed during the holidays.
There also are numerous dropoff points throughout the Boca Grande community, including Gill's Deli, the U.S. Post Office, Grande Aire, United Methodist Church and Sea Oats.
Consider giving what you can as we move toward the Christmas holiday.
- Gasparilla Gazette editorial
