Several dozen families will benefit this Thanksgiving from donations provided by the community, helping to make sure they have a festive Thanksgiving meal.
Local C.A.R.E., Community Action Resources of Escalon, Coordinator Sherrie Vaden said with money provided by local residents, they were able to purchase 100 turkeys for distribution to local families in need. Also, shoppers who contributed to a program offered through MarVal Main Street Market have helped provide pre-packaged bags of groceries that will help round out the holiday meal.
“People wonder sometimes where all their money goes,” Vaden said of those who contribute to C.A.R.E.
The Thanksgiving meal for roughly 100 families is a good example of how the money is spent.
Also, she said several Escalon High School cheerleaders were on hand to help during a Tuesday, Nov. 24 distribution of food bags and turkeys for the holiday.
The C.A.R.E. Center on Second Street serves as the local food cupboard and is open to those in need throughout the Escalon, Farmington and Collegeville areas. They have Wednesday hours for regular food distribution throughout the month, along with the once monthly Senior Brown Bag program and the Government Commodity Distribution program.
Hours for all of these events is 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., said Vaden.
The December schedule is as follows: Open on Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 23; Senior Brown Bag on Tuesday, Dec. 15; Commodities Distribution on Thursday, Dec. 17.
They will be closed the final week of the year for the Christmas and New Year observances.
Currently, the Escalon Ministerial Association, which is the sponsoring organization for C.A.R.E., is accepting monetary donations to provide grocery vouchers to help families put on a traditional Christmas meal. Donations can be sent to EMA, PO Box 1, Escalon, CA 95320.
Vaden said she was happy to be able to offer as many Thanksgiving meals as they did; she also said C.A.R.E. can always use financial donations and does accept non-perishable food items as well. Contact Vaden at 209-417-2048 to learn more or to schedule a time to drop off a donation.
And a reminder that the EMA is the host organization for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, set for Nov. 26; it will be a curbside pick-up at the Escalon Community Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with delivery of meals slated from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for those unable to pick up their own.
Contact Dianna Dunn at 209-988-5006 to order a dinner. Those that need home delivery of meals for Thanksgiving can contact DeeAnna Jackson at 209-838-6808 with information about how many meals are needed and the address for delivery.
