The holiday shopping season is off to a brisk start in the Flathead Valley, with a noticeable uptick of retail traffic on Small Business Saturday. Many local retail stores were lined with shoppers taking advantage of special deals.

American Express launched Small Business Saturday in 2010, and in just five years it has become a pivotal part of the Christmas shopping season. Forbes reported spending topped $16.2 billion nationwide this year on Small Business Saturday, a 14 percent increase from last year.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, our small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. They give back to our communities in so many different ways. They deserve and need our support.

With just 21 days to go before Christmas, shoppers still have ample opportunities to find that special something. Remember to shop small.

Teach a man to fish...

Alan Erickson is still doing good deeds. His latest project is fixing up donated fishing rods that need repairs and then donating them to veterans.

A military veteran himself, Erickson is well-known for his efforts in helping veterans. Fifteen years ago he started provided meals to hungry homeless veterans and over time he founded the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry in Evergreen, a program that has become a successful model of care for veterans. The nonprofit organization includes a thrift store, and as broken or slightly damaged fishing rods are donated, Erickson has taken it upon himself to fix them. It’s his therapy, he says, and it’s a wonderful complement to a program that provides much-needed services for our vets.

Helping those in need

Another worthy program taking shape is the Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana, which plans to open its first shelter for homeless teens this winter in Whitefish. A former parsonage owned by St. Peter Lutheran Church would be used for the shelter, and organizers hope to get approval from the Whitefish City Council on Monday to operate the community residential facility for up to five homeless teens.

In Kalispell, Sparrow’s Nest wants to turn a former church at 204 Seventh Ave. W. into a shelter for up to eight homeless teens.

Much has been done to help the Flathead’s homeless children through programs such as the Heart Locker. The missing link, according to Sparrow’s Nest chairwoman Marcia Bumke, is having a safe place for these kids to sleep.

Sparrow’s Nest has an awareness campaign and fundraiser planned Dec. 12, “12/12: When the Night Comes,” during which participants will experience what it’s like to sleep in a car or tent during winter weather. Please consider making a donation to Sparrow’s Nest through United Way.