EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the correct box donor. It is Shoreline Container.
HOLLAND (WTHC-AM/FM) — Community Action House (CAH) officials say more than 1,077 families in need (3,500-plus people) received an annual Thanksgiving Basket.
The area residents received turkeys with fresh potatoes and ingredients for families to cook and celebrate holiday traditions at home, together.
Recent data shows that 77 percent of people CAH serves earn at or below the Federal Poverty Level — just $25,750 for a family of four.
“It’s amazing to think, that’s 10 percent of the population of Holland,” said Holland Mayor Nathan Bocks when he visited CAH on Tuesday. “For some people, I think there may be a stigma to coming, and I’m happy to see how welcoming and open this is for Holland neighbors who need it.”
CAH’s goal each year is to remove financial burden on families who wish to fully participate in annual holiday traditions.
Baskets were available for pickup at Community Action House’s 14th Street Food Pantry on Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. Hundreds of guests were met with an efficient sign-in and pickup process, made possible by dozens of volunteers, including groups from Ameriprise, ODL, PeopleIT, foresight management, Mead Johnson, and many others. Continuing an annual tradition, Shoreline Container donated all of the boxes used to hold the turkey and ingredients.
Thanksgiving baskets are one of the ways that CAH and its supporters seek to improve the dignity and quality of life for our neighbors. The annual distribution serves as a welcoming connection point where individuals who may not ordinarily access food resources feel welcome to find the help they need.
The average basket costs about $28. Community members are encouraged to give generously at communityactionhouse.org/challenge throughout the season, which supports programs throughout the year.
