Planning for ShareNet’s Thanksgiving and Christmas box distribution occurs year round, and reaches critical mass in November and December, when it’s finally time to put together the nuts and bolts that have been gathered all year.
People do so many nice things for each other during the holiday season, and the community works harder for us during this time of year than any other, with new volunteers coming forward and new community efforts conceived.
Our staff must work harder to keep up with the holiday tasks as well, because every aspect of our operation is expanded including volume of food to be processed, number of volunteers, number of community projects and contacts, and number of customers.
Some of the food we distribute is donated, but the majority given out during the holidays is purchased, and it’s the generosity of the community that allows us to host these large-scale holiday events.
Food drives and random donations all contribute to the effort, but as we never know exactly what we will receive, careful event and purchasing planning must happen well in advance. It can be difficult to consolidate all these disparate goods from different sources, but we are always grateful for the abundance, and glad we can turn it back over to people in the community who need it.
The boxes contain most everything someone would need to prepare a holiday meal with enough leftover for several other meals, including the turkey or ham, plus any non-perishable specialty items or goodies that may have been furnished to us earlier in the year and seemed more appropriate for holiday time.
This year ShareNet estimates it will distribute 225 Thanksgiving boxes and 300 Christmas boxes to families and individuals. We try to control the turnout by doing signups in advance, but there are always last minute requests, and if we have food left we will make every attempt to accommodate those in need. We know it’s all worth it when a family tells us they wouldn’t have a holiday meal without this service.
Thanksgiving distribution will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 23 By this issue’s publication date, signups for Thanksgiving will be over, but signups for the Christmas box will go on until Dec. 11.
Signups must be done in person during food bank hours, which regularly (non-holiday schedule) are 10a.m.-2p.m. on Tuesday and Fridays.
The Christmas box distribution will be Monday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Dec. 21. Please note that we are only open Monday as part of our holiday schedule.
The Christmas Shop providing toys and gifts to kids in need and hosted by Bayside Community Church will take place on Dec. 16 at the church. For more information contact Barbara Brumagin at (360) 297-2000.
As of Nov. 11, $14,716 has been donated to Neighbor Aid 2009. We sincerely appreciate all our community does for those in need through our agency, and ask those of you who have not yet donated to please consider becoming part of the effort that keeps us going.
