Area residents in need of a bit of help to get through life's difficulties over the holidays will soon have another place to turn.

The Empty Stocking Fund, a charitable effort founded by The New Mexican in 1980 and now run by the Santa Fe Community Foundation in partnership with the newspaper, will start accepting applications for aid Monday. Applications will remain open until Jan. 31 or until funds are depleted.

Donations are open year-round, and organizers aim to raise $475,000 this year. Last holiday season, the fund raised almost $412,000, which was distributed to 292 families. The fund had raised $194,000 for this year as of Wednesday, according to Sandra Session-Robertson, the community foundation's vice president.

Help is available for people who live in Santa Fe and Rio Arr

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