TRAVERSE CITY -- An area business skipped the traditional holiday cards and sent their greetings through email.  A portion of the money saved on postage will be used to help others in the community.

The Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near Traverse City made the decision to help the Father Fred Foundation fill its food pantry.  A $1,000 check was donated Tuesday to the organization.

"The check was a great surprise and a boost to our pantry program," said David Abeel, Development Director for the Father Fred Foundation. "We will be directing the donation to our "Christmas Boost Bags."  It's a program we started this past summer called "Summer Boost Bags", where we provided extra food such as milk, vegetables, tuna fish and peanut butter for children on summer break.  It was such a success and helped the families who needed it most, we decided to try it during the holiday break."

The cost for each Boost Bag is $20, so the donation will help as many as 50 children.