Published: October 14, 2008 08:58 am      

Christmas for the Needy program accepting donations, canned goods

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — For more than 30 years the Jefferson County Christmas for the Needy Food Basket program has been providing meals to those in need for the holidays. And since the cost of food has increased this year, the Jefferson County Ministerial Association is asking the community to step up so others can continue receiving meals at Christmas time.

Approximately 734 baskets were given away last year to families within the county, says Randy Sells of Central Christian Church. However, he added that with the rising cost of food, the Christmas for the Needy program needs to raise at least $19,000 — which is $6,000 more than last year.

“Some schools have already called and started collecting canned goods,” Sells said, “and we have already received just over $2,000.” But there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure others can have not only a “joyous Christmas, but also have food on their table,” he said.

Food baskets are delivered to not only families in Mt. Vernon, Sells advised, but throughout the Jefferson County area including Scheller, Ina, Bluford and Dix. He says it takes “dozens upon dozens” of volunteers to deliver the baskets in four hours.

Monetary donations and canned good items are currently being accepted and will be delivered to the Rolland Lewis Building at Mt. Vernon Veterans Park on Dec. 18. Monetary donations can be mailed to Christmas for the Needy, P.O. Box 575, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Donated food items may be dropped off at Central Christian Church, Door 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 2 through 15.

Baskets will be delivered on Dec. 19 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Sells said those who register for a food basket must have someone at their home in order to receive the food.

Registration for Christmas for the Needy Baskets will be held Nov. 10, 12 and 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1100 Harrison. Proof of income, address and identification is required to register. No registrations will be accepted after Nov. 14.

For more information, you may contact Sells at 242-4185.