The annual Holiday Basket Program in Burbank is heading into its final week, with a major citywide food drive tomorrow, December 5. Volunteers will be outside local grocery stores asking for food donations from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Last year over 550 needy families, including more than 2,300 individuals, received holiday gifts of mostly food, clothing, and toys from the program, according to the Burbank Coordinating Council.
The organization has been the lead on the program since 1946. The aim is to share some of the holiday cheer with low income families with school age children. Burbank Coordinating Council president/co-chair of the program, Janet Diel, says this is an important community effort: “With the way our world is today we must remember that the simple act of giving a gift, of needed food to another family, putting a smile on a child’s face, letting him know he is not forgotten, is a step in the direction of creating a strong small world here in Burbank….we may not change the world, but we can change this holiday for these families…..we all need to be a part of the solution to our low income, low economy problems….reach out!”
Volunteers are needed for the food drive as well as these other Holiday Basket Program events. On Wednesday, December 9, a lot of hands are needed to help sort food and fill around 700 bags at the Little White Chapel, 1711 North Avon Street from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. Next, Friday December 11, the bags will be moved to the major staging area in the George Washington Elementary School Auditorium, 2322 North Lincoln Avenue. Gifts will be added to the food bags as well. Time: 2 p.m. until 9 p.m.
On Saturday, rain or shine, starting at 7 a.m. volunteers will gather at the elementary school lunch shelter to organize and pick up the baskets for delivery to the 500 plus families. They’re hoping to complete all deliveries by 4 p.m.
If you can help with the food drive call (818) 843-7571, for other events call (818) 216-9377 or email ccholidaybaskets@aol.com
