Bristol and Warren Non-Profits Seek Holiday Basket Donations

Give back this holiday season by helping local organizations fill baskets to distribute to local families in need.

Thanksgiving is a little more than a week away and local organizations including the , the and the have been working diligently to get food baskets ready for those who need them most. But these organizations still seek help in filling the baskets for local residents.

East Bay Food Pantry Executive Director Anita Randall says that they were fortunate enough to have all 222 baskets donated by the Bristol County Elks, but that many baskets are missing an essential ingredient.

"We still need $20 grocery gift cards to include in the baskets," Randall said.

Locals who want to help can also sponsor a family by donating $50 payable to East Bay Food Pantry. Donations can be made online at the East Bay Food Pantry website.

According to Judy Fardig, president of the Warren Unit #11 of the American Legion Auxiliary, from in Warren. The organization is looking for donations of turkeys, pies and money to buy desserts.

At Bristol Good Neighbors, grocery gift cards in amounts of $10, $15 and $25 are needed for the purchase of Thanksgiving turkeys. Soup kitchen operator Arthur Donnelly says the organization will distribute 250 bags and is also hoping to get more donations of canned goods and other dinner foods.

"We really need holiday foods," Donnelly said, noting that nothing will go to waste. "Whatever we have left over from the Thanksgiving bags we'll use for the Christmas bags."

In addition to foods, Donnelly said that the organization is also seeking winter clothing and coat donations as well as coffee, sugar, creamer and other goods to serve to residents who go to the soup kitchen.

Anyone needing a meal or anyone knowing of someone who needs a meal can call the Warren Unit #11 of the American Legion Auxiliary at 245-5431 and leave a message. Though the registration deadline for Thanksgiving bags and baskets for the food pantry and soup kitchen has passed, residents can sign up (in person) for Christmas baskets with the Bristol Good Neighbors and East Bay Food Pantry through the beginning of December.