Thanksgiving Basket Program
2011 - Our 16th year!
Our 16th Year will be dedicated to the memory of John M. Olguin
The First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro will sponsor its 16th annual Thanksgiving Family Food Baskets distribution to needy families living in the greater San Pedro area. In our first year we delivered 58 baskets. We really have come a long way in helping needy families celebrate Thanksgiving.
Through the generous support of church members and many other organizations and friends, we fed last year over 6,000 needy people. And, we raised donations to purchase over 1,000 complete food baskets. Each basket allows a recipient family to receive food for approximately six people, complete with all the necessary canned and packaged food, trimmings and turkey, together with a Bible. The food Basket allows a family to prepare and serve its own meal on this special Thanksgiving Holiday. Local businesses donate equipment and materials, as well as close to 1,200 cases of food at wholesale price. More than 150 church members will help assemble the baskets and deliver them; two thirds of our church’s members participate in some way.
The basket
Each basket contains ingredients to prepare a full Thanksgiving meal for a family of six: all the necessary canned and packaged food, trimmings and turkey, roasting pan, along with a personal letter from a donor family to the recipient family, and a Bible. Church members, individuals, and local businesses purchase the baskets for $35.00 each.
History of the Effort
The Baskets program began thirteen years ago, when several church members attended the Promise Keepers gathering of men in Los Angeles. They came home to San Pedro wanting to serve the families of their town in a real and tangible way. It was launched by Brent Howell, a church elder, who resides in Rolling Hills, John Olguin, a legendary civic leader in San Pedro, and Bill Steel, the church’s pastor at the time. Their dream was to provide dignity to poor families; to allow them to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at home, rather than having to shuffle through a long soup kitchen line. What motivates the 150 plus church volunteers who participate in the boxing and delivery is the fact that they are helping their neighbors and the thanks expressed by so many of the families who receive a Thanksgiving food basket.
Our 2011 Goals
- Feed 6,000 people with 1,000 family food baskets
- Raise $33,000 in donations
- Gather 200 volunteers to assemble and deliver the baskets
- Spread God’s love and caring, to make a difference in our community
Who We Serve
The recipient families are selected each year 40 different local schools and agencies, including help from 17 San Pedro school principals and by directors of such San Pedro area service organizations as the YMCA, Salvation Army, Harbor Interfaith, Toberman House, SHAWL House, Boys & Girls Club, 3 San Pedro Adult Schools, House of Hope, Rainbow Services, Harbor View, Hope Chapel, Willenberg School, First Pres Church, LOVE, Inc, Beacon House, Harbor Occupational, Joint Efforts, Habitat for Humanity, Justice for Murdered Children, and families selected by LAPD Harbor Division and the U.S. Military at Ft. MacArthur.
How to Help
- If you would like to donate to this effort, send a check with the donation form to First Presbyterian Church, 731 Averill Ave, San Pedro, CA 90732.
- If you would like to volunteer to assemble baskets or make deliveries, please fill out the form, or contact the church office (310-832-7597).
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Page Last Updated: Wed Oct 5, 2011