109 Thanksgiving Meal Baskets Collected for Families in Need

W omen and families seeking help for sexual assault or domestic violence will get a little normalcy back in their lives on this Thanksgiving. Tejas Health Care teamed up with local volunteers and community organizations to put on the 26th annual Thanksgiving basket drive in La Grange.

The drive benefits women and families served by the Family Crisis Center based out of Bastrop. Bernie Jackson, deputy executive director of the Family Crisis Center, said her organization will distribute the baskets to 51 clients they are currently serving. The baskets include everything needed to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

This year, there will be plenty to go around. Organizer Laurie Quitta reported that 109 baskets were collected last week. That’s an all-time record and a big jump over last year’s total of 89.

After the Family Crisis Center clients are provided for, the surplus will be distributed to other local families in need.

Local volunteers and community groups donated groceries to make stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, desserts and more. The Holy Smokers men’s group from St. James Episcopal Church provides smoked turkeys. Jackson said frozen turkeys will also be provided.

The Thanksgiving basket drive in La Grange began 26 years ago at St. Mark’s Hospital. Back then, the various hospital departments would compete to see which one could bring in the most donations.

“When St. Mark’s closed, we thought this would be a closed chapter,” Jackson said.

After the hospital closed, Tejas Health Care took up the cause.