Food Basket’s holiday needs
The holiday season is upon us, and as it is the season of giving, it’s worthwhile to think of some good deeds you can do to round out the year - and not just to get on the nice list (although it won’t hurt).
One of the ways to get into the spirit of giving this season is donating money, food, or gifts to an organization that helps those in need.
The Orville Standup Memorial Kateri Food Basket is always looking for donations year-round to help community members, but for the holidays, Food Basket coordinator Cory Rice said there are specific items they are looking for as donations to complete their holiday meal offerings.
“What we're looking for right now are canned cranberry sauce, green beans, stovetop stuffing, and boxes of Christmas cookies. We're also looking for pancake mix and syrup,” said Rice. “Those are the biggest things that we're short on right now, but anything else nonperishable is always accepted as well.”
Rice said that they have a list of 100 or so boxes they will give out for Christmas to their clientele.
Other items that might not come to people’s minds when thinking of making donations are toiletries - soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, to name a few.
“We get some of that, but not enough to give to everybody at once, and we don’t get donations for those very often. It gets quite expensive for that stuff as well,” said Rice.
Along with foodstuffs and toiletries, the Food Basket is also accepting gifts for children for their 2024 Kids Wishlist donation drive. They ask that gifts be wrapped and are a minimum of $40 per child.
For both that donation drive and to make sure the holiday baskets are completed in time, the deadline to donate for both initiatives is Monday, December 16, at 2 p.m.
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Those interested in making donations of food or items to the Food Basket are encouraged to come drop them off in person at their location behind Village Variety on the Old Malone Highway.
The Orville Standup Memorial Kateri Food Basket can be contacted at 514-704-5042.
