Annual Thanksgiving food basket program to begin registration

As the holidays draw near, many families begin preparing for abundant feasts and old family traditions. However, for many more, the holidays often mean a struggle simply to provide a Thanksgiving turkey for their children. At UNC, Thanksgiving remains a time to help those struggling families prepare for their own holiday traditions with a Thanksgiving food basket.

On Tuesday, November 25, for the35^th year, UNC will once again provide families with children living in Lackawanna County all the trimmings for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Each family will receive a basket including a turkey, potatoes, carrots, bread or croutons, cranberry sauce, celery, onions, apples, pumpkin pie mix, pie crust mix, non-dairy whipped topping, and canned vegetables. Distribution will take place with the help of over 200 volunteers at Covenant Presbyterian Church (550 Madison Avenue in Scranton).

Registration for UNC’s Thanksgiving Feed-A-Friend Food Basket Program will begin on Monday, November 3 at the agency’s Community Services Building, 410 Olive Street in Scranton. Families can register through November 21, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

In addition to the Scranton based Food Basket Program, United Neighborhood Centers has once again partnered with the Upper Valley Project Hope Committee to provide a Thanksgiving Basket distribution in Carbondale. This partnership works to serve the needy families in the upper valley, Carbondale area who are unable to participate in the Scranton program. Distribution will take place on Monday, November 24 at Russell Park. Registration for Carbondale area residents will be held at St. Rose Family Center (basement of 4 North Church Street) on the following dates:

• Thursday, November 6 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 18 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Registering families must have children 18 or under living in the household. Proof of income (examples can include access cards, unemployment records, current pay stubs, social security letter, etc.) and any form of documentation of family members in the household are required for registration.

Last year, the Thanksgiving Food Basket Program fed over 1,700 families in the community, which was an increase of over 25% from the previous year. Funding comes directly from community members and donations, and with the increase in need seen throughout the year at local food banks and pantries, UNC expects it will need to raise at least $30,000 this year to meet the growing demand at a cost of $35 per family.

United Neighborhood Centers is currently accepting both monetary and traditional Thanksgiving food donations to assist in the Thanksgiving Feed-A-Friend Food Basket Program. For more information or to make a donation please call 570-346-0759 or go online at www.uncnepa.org/donate.