It's That Time Reading: Adopt-A-Family Program Needs You

If you're looking for ways to make another families holiday a little brighter, check out this news from the Reading Rotary and Reading cares.

As we start a new holiday season, we would like to invite you to participate in the Reading Adopt-A-Family program. This is the annual program that matches anonymous donors and recipients for Thanksgiving dinner ingredients, holiday dinner ingredients and/or gifts for dependent children. The AAF program has been helping Reading residents for over 30 years, and we hope you will be able to make a difference this year in the lives of your neighbors.

Thanksgiving Food Baskets -- typically include FROZEN turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, fresh vegetables, breads, desserts and often paper goods or table decorations. Baked goods must be commercially produced and include a list of ingredients; sorry, no homemade goodies. Donations should be packed in open bags, boxes, lidded plastic containers or laundry baskets whose weight must not exceed 30 pounds and must be able to fit in the back seat of a car. If you choose to participate in the Thanksgiving Food Program, notifications will be sent out by November 13th. Donors will learn the number of adults/teens/children in their assigned family, as well as any special food issues.

Christmas/Holiday Food Baskets -- See guidelines for Thanksgiving Food Baskets above. If you choose to participate in the Holiday Food Program, notifications will be sent out by November 21st. Donors will learn the number of adults/teens/children in their assigned family, as well as any special food issues.

Christmas/Holiday Gift -- participants will receive a detailed “wish list” from their assigned family, including age and gender of each child. Recipients are requested to be as specific as possible, including advertisements from toy stores, titles of movies, musicians and books, sizes and styles. Gifts must be new, unwrapped and Santa-approved. Gift wrap, bags and cards are a nice addition. Suggested gift totals for each child is approximately $75, but can vary depending on the age and wishes of the child. If you choose to participate in the Christmas/Holiday Gift Program, notifications will be sent out by November 21st. Donors will learn the number of teens/children in their assigned family and their respective wish lists.

If donors wish to include “extras” in their baskets, some nice ideas include gift cards, grocery cards, holiday
decorations, cooking pans and supplies, food staples, snack foods, movies (age appropriate) or books. Please feel free to contact us if you have an idea and want to discuss it. We love new ideas!

Thanksgiving Food Baskets need to be delivered to the Reading DPW Garage (New Crossing Road) on Tuesday, November 21st between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Christmas/Holiday Food and Gift Baskets need to be delivered to the Reading DPW (New Crossing Road) on Thursday, December 21st between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

If you wish to participate email ReadingAAF@gmail.com or call 781-942-6680 to get the application form. The deadline for applying is October 26. Thank you!

Sincerely,
The Reading Rotary Club & ReadingCares