In October we start to sign clients up for baskets. We allow clients to come in at the last minute but we like to get a handle on whether our estimates on numbers will be even close. At this point we feverishly start saving boxes to use when handing out the food. Rock Art provided many of our boxes again this year which was a great help!
Kevin starts watching for sales in August so we can purchase all of the items that go into our boxes. This year we purchased items from Hannaford, Price Chopper, Mac's Market and Kinney Drugs. Thanks to everyone at these stores now and throughout the year for accommodating our large orders. Special thanks to our friends at Demars Properties for providing storage units so we can stock up.
Everything starts on the Thursday before Thanksgiving. Volunteers come in that afternoon to start packing boxes for the approximately 120 families who will pick them up starting Friday. That process continues through the Wednesday before T'day. This crew from People's Academy came in to help.
We have five distribution days which require our dedicated staff and volunteers to collect and distribute turkeys and baskets. Clearly they enjoy the work!
Stowe Rotary delivered 25 baskets with everything from roasting pans to potatoes ham and turkey.
Stowe Elementary School first through third graders created yummy desserts and colorful cards and posters.
Hunger's Hard, Baking's Easy once again provided us with lots of yummy baked goods.