The Holiday Food and Gift Basket program is currently matching sponsors to the approximately 2,200 individuals the program will serve this year. Thanks to groups such as Julian Middle School, First United Church of Oak Park, OPRF High School, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and the West Cook YMCA, among others, we have been able to match more than half of the referrals. However, we still need sponsors to help fulfill wish lists for more than 750 people referred to the HFGB. We have a mix of family sizes, ranging from two members to 14, as well as seniors and adult singles.
Sponsors are asked to shop, wrap and drop off gifts to the HFGB the first week in December. Many sponsors say that participating in the HFGB is a highlight of their holiday season. Neighbors, friends, co-workers and families make it an annual event to sponsor a family or several individuals, then shop and wrap the gifts together.
To be a sponsor, email holidaybasket@hotmail.com or call 708-771-6159, ext. 244 and provide your name, street address, phone number and email address. Please indicate the total number of individuals you will sponsor. We will send you names and wish lists along with gift drop-off information.
Financial donations are still needed to help fund the Thanksgiving food cards that will be distributed in mid-November to the more than 900 households served. These cards help make the holidays special for our recipients by assuring that they can choose some of their favorite foods or ingredients at the holidays to continue their families’ traditions. Checks made out to Holiday Food and Gift Basket may be mailed to HFGB, P.O. Box 3365, Oak Park, IL 60303.
Finally, volunteers are needed to deliver the gifts on Saturday, Dec. 8. Call or email for more details.
Consider supporting the HFGB in some way, and help our recipients celebrate these special occasions with food and gifts that nourish both their physical and emotional health.
Patty Henek
Coordinator, Holiday Food and Gift Basket
