WINNEMUCCA - Local charity organizers are depending on the generosity of area residents to fill hundreds of food baskets this coming Christmas.
The Winnemucca Ministerial Association officially launched its 2011 Christmas Food Basket food drive Monday, Nov. 28. The drive will continue through Friday, Dec. 16, at area schools, banks and businesses using the theme, "Harvest for the Hungry."
Then, on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 21 - 22, volunteers will gather at the Winnemucca Events Complex Exhibit Hall to sort the food and package the equivalent of a holiday meal for nearly 300 area families.
Dain Maher, a sophomore at Lowry High School, is overseeing this year's Christmas Food Basket project under the direction of the Winnemucca Ministerial Association. This will be Maher's Eagle Scout project and he is anxious to get as much help as possible.
"We've got a lot to do and a lot of needs to fill," said the scout. "I'm hoping that people will look at the posters and watch for the ads and that they'll want to contribute."
Maher, who just turned 16, said he was pleased when he approached the Winnemucca Ministerial Association with the idea of helping out.
"They were really excited and open about my taking this over this year," he said. "It's a really big project, which kind of makes me nervous, but I also have a lot of help and a lot of people supporting this, so I think it will turn out good."
Maher has placed collection barrels at many area businesses and schools; other businesses and organizations have also voluntarily begun collecting food for the baskets. Raley's Supermarket is helping by asking shoppers to donate the cost of a bag of food to the program, and Humboldt General Hospital is funding all project advertising.
Food donations may be dropped off at Humboldt General Hospital, Wells Fargo Bank, Great Basin College, Uptown Market, the Humboldt County Library, Khoury's Market or area schools including Lowry High School, French Ford Middle School, Winnemucca Grammar School, Sonoma Heights Elementary School and Grass Valley Elementary School.
The Winnemucca Food Bank is also available for drop off.
Maher said all non-perishable food items are welcome but organizers are especially interested in food items that will help constitute a holiday meal such as cranberry sauce, canned pumpkin pie mix, stuffing, olives, pickles, evaporated milk, powdered milk, roll or biscuit mixes, canned yams, Jell-O and pudding mixes and cream soups.
The group is also looking for clean coats, hats, gloves and scarves to distribute to the needy.
Maher said in addition to food donations, volunteers are needed on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 21 - 22, at the Winnemucca Events Complex Exhibit Hall, to assemble the food baskets.
"Those are going to be big days," he said. "We're going to need all the help we can get from individuals or groups looking to provide some service."
Organizers will begin at 8:30 a.m. each day and go until about 6 p.m., or until the food baskets are filled and ready for pickup or delivery. The group also will be organizing the cold weather clothing for distribution.
Any age volunteer for any amount of time is welcome, said Maher. "I think this is the kind of project where an entire family or a school group or church organization can come for several hours and really feel good about how much they're able to help."
The baskets for the needy will be available between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22. Recipients should bring their confirmation letter with them.
For more information on the Winnemucca Ministerial Association's holiday food drive or Christmas Food Basket project, or to schedule a pickup of food or donated items, please contact Dain Maher at (775) 997-8810.
Information is also available by contacting Winnemucca Ministerial Association Secretary Barbara Sealy at (775) 623-4093.
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