The economy is muddling along, gas prices are soaring and the fires in Southern California are diverting donor attention from the San Joaquin Valley.

As a result, local nonprofits are struggling during this holiday season. Food banks lack goods to meet the demand, and agencies that rely on financial donations are seeing a slowdown.

That's why I challenged readers in October to participate in a food drive organized by the Sequoia Council of Boy Scouts and asked local politicians to match my $100 pledge to the Clovis chapter of the Salvation Army.

I'm happy to report that the scouts collected more than one ton of food, which will restock shelves at the Salvation Army pantry in Clovis.

In addition, I'm aware of at least $1,100 in donations made by myself, local politicians and unions. There might be more, but I'm basing the total on pledges communicated to me.

The donors: Clovis City Council Member Lynn Ashbeck, Clovis City Council Member Nathan Magsig, Fresno City Council Member Brian Calhoun, Fresno City Council Member Mike Dages, Fresno County Supervisor Susan Anderson, Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea, an anonymous former Fresno City Council member, Fresno County Supervisorial candidate Debbie Poochigian, Fresno Deputy Sheriffs Association and Fresno Police Officers Association.