Volunteers deliver 100 food baskets
By Donnie A. Lucas
About 100 county families and individuals received food deliveries on Sunday and Monday just in time for the holiday season as part of the annual Christmas Basket program sponsored by the Albany Ministerial Alliance.
Surprisingly, the number of total food basket requests was down this year with 99, compared to 119 last year.
Ministerial Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins reported that the majority of baskets were delivered Sunday afternoon by volunteers from Albany and Moran, with about 25 baskets for senior citizens who regularly receive weekly meal delivery by Vittles by Vehicles getting their food baskets on Monday.
“Everything worked out well this year,” said Wilkins. “We are so thankful to the community for their generosity.”
She noted that she had difficulty purchasing some items this year due to supply issues.
“We order most of the food through Brookshire’s, but they had trouble getting the instant mashed potatoes and the pies,” she said. “We were able to find enough of the potatoes, but there weren’t pies available this year.”
Wilkins thanked the Albany FFA chapter for delivering the non-perishable items to The Feed Store where the boxes were put together, along with the sixth graders who helped sort the items.
The annual program strives to provide a box filled with ingredients needed for a traditional holiday meal to families in need of assistance.
Donations can still be mailed to the Ministerial Alliance at PO Box 3084, Albany, TX 76430.
Believe Trees
The Alliance also sponsors the Believe Tree program for teenage students.
Recipients are determined by ResourceCare, with the Alliance placing wish lists on trees located among participating local congregations.
A total of 52 wish lists were received this year, with all lists selected by members of the churches.
“Every year I think it can’t get any better, but it does,” Wilkins said. “The community really puts forth a giving heart when it comes to helping people who need help, and we’re so very grateful.”
