 Now it it's 112th year, Goodfellows will again be purchasing a complete holiday meal for those who are disadvantaged, needy, and hurting in Poweshiek County. This will include every family that signs up and qualifies for the Christmas Share program. Holiday meals will include a 6 pound ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, carrots, celery, baking mix, gravy mix, stuffing mix, Jello, apples, oranges, dinner rolls and a dessert.
“Our local grocery stores are again packaging the meals which will be ready on the Christmas Share distribution date,” said Pam Montgomery, Goodfellows Chair. “As funds allow, extra food will be purchased for children over the winter break as many rely on school lunches for a regular meal source. Last year, we were able to provide toaster pastries, microwave popcorn, canned ravioli, canned spaghetti, cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, crackers, mac & cheese cups, chicken noodle soup, vegetable beef soup, fruit snacks, granola bars, and ramen noodles and we hope to continue providing this extra kid friendly type food at the same level this year.” The first of the kids food packages will be distributed the day gifts and meals are distributed, then the kid food will be scheduled weekly over the winter break and distributed through MICA. “Because our meals feed a family of 5-6 people, we will be adding extra dinner items to those families with more than five in the household,” said Montgomery. “Food prices continue to increase, but we are hopeful we can do as much as we have in the past if not more as many are struggling right now. And, we never know exactly how many will be signing up and that too can be an adjusting factor to our program.” Anyone wanting to contribute to purchasing meals or food for children can send gifts to Goodfellows, P. O. Box 229, Grinnell, IA 50112. Food donations are accepted and can be coordinated by emailing [email protected]. “We have already filled our volunteer needs for this year, but if anyone wants to help in other ways, they should absolutely feel free to reach out,” noted Montgomery. Sign up qualifiers Sign Up will be Monday, Oct. 27 - Friday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. - 12 noon at the Drake Community Library, 930 Park St., Grinnell. The sign up qualifiers are unchanged this year and will include:
Letters have been forwarded to potential family sponsors but if you would like to take part and purchase gifts for a family or individual, you can email [email protected], or call (641) 888-6227. If anyone would like to donate rather than shop for gifts, please send your donation to Christmas Share at the Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation, P. O. Box 344, Grinnell, IA 50112. Gift drop off day will be Monday, Dec. 8 and the gifts, food, and meals will be distributed on Saturday, Dec. 13. Gifts to either of these programs are tax deductible. Sign up schedule We do have a suggested sign-up schedule for those wanting to take part in the program, but it is recommended and not mandatory. We do put a schedule out to help avoid long lines and wait times, but if people have conflicts we do tell them to come when they can so they don't miss out. That schedule is: Monday, October 27 - Last Names Starting with the Letter A-G Tuesday, October 28 - Last Names Starting with the Letter H-M Wednesday, October 29 - Last Names Starting with the Letter N-Q Thursday, October 30 - Last Names Starting with the Letter R-T Friday, October 31 - Last Names Starting with the Letter U-Z Christmas Share and the Goodfellow programs are under the direction of Pam Montgomery, Goodfellows Chair, P.O. Box 229, Grinnell, IA 50112. Pam can be reached at [email protected].
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