WINNEMUCCA - Area residents have been more than generous in donating food that will fill hundreds of food baskets this coming Christmas.
Now, the Winnemucca Ministerial Association is hoping that same spirit of giving will include local residents' time.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 21 - 22, volunteers are needed at the Winnemucca Events Complex Exhibit Hall to sort 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 only got two days to get this done," said Maher of the Christmas food baskets. "I'm really counting on people to help us so all these families can have a great Christmas dinner."
Maher thanked the community for their generosity during a recent Christmas food drive, "Harvest for the Hungry," which took place from Nov. 28 through Dec. 16.
The boy scout placed collection barrels at many area businesses and schools; other businesses and organizations also voluntarily collected food for the baskets. Raley's Supermarket helped by asking shoppers to donate the cost of a bag of food to the program, and Humboldt General Hospital has funded all project advertising.
Food donations are still welcome on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 21 - 22, at the Winnemucca Events Complex Exhibit Hall. 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 also is looking for clean coats, hat, gloves and scarves to distribute to the needy.
Dec. 21 - 22, volunteers are needed from 8:30 a.m. 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 Christmas Food Basket project, 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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