Volunteers needed to deliver baskets

Members of the Albany Ministerial Alliance make a special effort each year to insure that every family in the local community has enough food to prepare a traditional meal over the holiday season, and the annual delivery of the Christmas food baskets will take place this Sunday, Dec. 16.

Assisting the Alliance this year were sixth grade students from Nancy Smith Elementary School. The youngsters spent part of this Thursday morning picking up the canned goods and other staples at Brookshire’s, and then sorting the items into the Christmas food boxes at The Feed Store.

Eighty-one families from Albany and Moran turned in applications for the boxes this year.

Each applicant had the opportunity to select either a whole turkey, ham, or pre-cooked turkey breast as the entree. 

The perishable items will be added to baskets on Sunday shortly before volunteers deliver the food.

Delivery of the Christmas Baskets is scheduled to take place between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16. However, if it goes as smoothly as it has the last couple of years, most of the Christmas baskets will be delivered soon after 2:00 p.m.

“It will probably only take about 30 minutes, but it’s hard to tell how long it will take, because we never know how many volunteers will show up,” said Alliance secretary Tisha Wilkins. “We always welcome extra helpers and they can either deliver a route, or jump in and assist another group if all of the routes are covered.”

Applicants who requested home delivery are reminded to make sure that someone will be at the address to open the door when the Christmas food basket is delivered.