CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Each time Brenda visited the Covenant House Drop-in Center's food pantry, her eyesight got worse.

She was going blind. The staff at Covenant House said the fact that she was slowly losing her eyesight didn't prevent her from being a client they look forward to seeing because her attitude is "upbeat" and "playful."

Fortunately for Brenda, she had eye surgery earlier this year to correct her vision problems. Staff said her excitement when she visited Covenant House days after her surgery was noticeable and everyone joined her in celebrating her new vision.

The staff has learned that Brenda has a talent for sketching and poetry. During her last visit, Covenant House staff said she presented some of her works. Some sketches conveyed lighthearted themes, while her poetry speaks of difficult times.

Most of the nearly 37,000 people who stopped by the Covenant House Drop-in Center last year to take a shower, make a phone call or get vouchers for the food pantry and clothing closet have had difficult times.

Last year, 7,500 people just like Brenda were able to eat because of the food pantry provided by Covenant House. This year, the nonprofit served 60 percent more people in Charleston than last year.

Please consider helping Covenant House help people like Brenda by donating to the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund.

When you make a donation to the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund, every

penny goes to the agencies and people who need help.

The Gazette covers the administrative costs of the fund. All donations to

Gazette Charities are tax-deductible.

To donate online, go to wvgazette.com and click on the Gazette Charities Christmas Fund logo.

Reach Megan Workman at megan.work...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5113.