Annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive Seeks Donations for Families in Need

It’s time once again for the annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive project benefitting the Family Crisis Center, which serves families in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee and Colorado Counties. The center provides 24 hour crisis hotline access, emergency shelters, transitional housing, crisis intervention and advocacy, medical care, law enforcement and court accompaniment for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Central Texas.

Started by St. Mark’s Medical Center more than 25 years ago, this annual drive continues through the generosity of local businesses, organizations, families and friends. Your contributions help carry this community tradition forward.

Last year, more than 111 baskets were collected, helping make the holiday brighter for families in need. This Thanksgiving, let’s come together to match or exceed that number and ensure more families have a reason to feel supported and remembered.

Every basket makes a difference, and every contribution counts. Please share this appeal with your contacts, service organizations, friends and family. We especially encourage residents, businesses and organizations in Lee and Colorado counties to join the effort. Together, we can spread hope, kindness and the spirit of Thanksgiving to families throughout the communities we serve.

The donation collection will be on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the Knights of Columbus Center, 190 S. Brown Street, La Grange, from 9 a.m.-noon. If you would like to join for a group picture, plan to arrange that for 10:15 a.m.

Preparing Your Donation Pack your food items in a covered tub or sturdy shopping bag so the Family Crisis Center team can transport them easily.

Include a $20 gift card to Walmart, H-E-B or Brookshire Brothers. Please turn in gift cards separately rather than placing them inside the baskets, staff will use them to purchase turkeys; any remaining funds will go toward dessert items. You are welcome to include a card or note with warm Thanksgiving wishes for the family receiving your basket.

Thanksgiving Basket Checklist Use this grocery list to prepare your donation.

• $20 gift card to Walmart, H-E-B or Brookshire Brothers

• 2 cans corn (16 oz. ea.)

• 1 lg. box of Macaroni and Cheese

• 1 can (29 oz.) Yams

• 2 boxes instant potatoes

• 2 boxes Stove Top stuffing

• 2 cans cranberry sauce (6 oz. each)

• 2 cans beans, green peas or a combination (16 oz. ea.)

• 1 can canned fruit (16 oz.)

• l bag sugar (2 lb.)

• 2 cans cream of chicken or mushroom soup

• cake mixes and frosting

• 1 lg. box Jell-O

• 1 jar instant tea or box of tea bags

• 2 instant packets or 2 jars gravy

• 1 jar mayonnaise (16 oz.)

• l bag or box holiday candy

• Covered tub or sturdy shopping bag Feel free to add extra food items or thoughtful touches such as a tablecloth, festive paper plates and napkins, table decorations, candles or magazines. Think about what your own family might enjoy and help make the holiday welcoming for a family facing difficult times.

Questions, contact Laurie Quitta at (979) 966-7040 or laurie. quitta@gmail.com or April Hensel at (979) 966-3423.