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Making the holiday

| 24 Nov 2015 | 04:24
    Photos by Roger Gavan The Warwick Ecumenical Council Food Pantry collected and distributed 240 Thanksgiving Day Food Baskets at the Warwick United Methodist Church on 17A and Forester Avenue.
    Photos by Roger Gavan The Warwick Ecumenical Council Food Pantry collected and distributed 240 Thanksgiving Day Food Baskets at the Warwick United Methodist Church on 17A and Forester Avenue.
    On Tuesday, Nov. 24, approximately 75 volunteers working outdoors, like this group, and indoors for the Warwick Ecumenical Council Food Pantry collected and distributed 240 Thanksgiving Day Food Baskets..
    On Tuesday, Nov. 24, approximately 75 volunteers working outdoors, like this group, and indoors for the Warwick Ecumenical Council Food Pantry collected and distributed 240 Thanksgiving Day Food Baskets..
    According to Thanksgiving and Christmas basket distribution Chair Marge Koopman, this community-wide effort, which brought volunteers together from the entire Town, resulted in another large number of food baskets to be delivered to needy families. "And my neighbor Regina Foley is myi right hand," said Koopman. From left, volunteer Regina Foley and Marge Koopman.
    According to Thanksgiving and Christmas basket distribution Chair Marge Koopman, this community-wide effort, which brought volunteers together from the entire Town, resulted in another large number of food baskets to be delivered to needy families. "And my neighbor Regina Foley is myi right hand," said Koopman. From left, volunteer Regina Foley and Marge Koopman.
    Michele Carter (left), recently retired director of the Ecumenical Council's Food Pantry, serves as a volunteer with Chris Bodeker who accompanied Grade-8 students from St. Stephen - St. Edward School. The students collected 10 baskets.
    Michele Carter (left), recently retired director of the Ecumenical Council's Food Pantry, serves as a volunteer with Chris Bodeker who accompanied Grade-8 students from St. Stephen - St. Edward School. The students collected 10 baskets.
    Volunteers like Bob Bruno and Mark Kurtz load a truck with baskets to be delivered to needy seniors.
    Volunteers like Bob Bruno and Mark Kurtz load a truck with baskets to be delivered to needy seniors.

WARWICK — On Tuesday, Nov. 24, approximately 75 volunteers for the Warwick Ecumenical Council Food Pantry collected and distributed 240 Thanksgiving Day Food Baskets at the Warwick United Methodist Church on Route 17A and Forester Avenue.

Although actually very well organized, the morning appeared chaotic as volunteers used shopping baskets to rush final food donations into the building where they were inventoried, stacked on shelves and repackaged for delivery to those who could use them.

Community-wide effortAccording to Thanksgiving and Christmas basket distribution chair Marge Koopman, this community-wide effort, which brought volunteers together from the entire town, resulted in another large number of food baskets to be delivered to needy families. Eight-grade students from St. Stephen-St. Edward School, for example, collected and delivered 10 baskets. (See related stories on page 2 and 45.)

Koopman explained that each box of food, numbered to identify a particular family or senior in need, contained a turkey or a ham, depending on preference, along with all the usual holiday trimmings and a basting pan.

Other surprise treats like candy, flowers, wine and even small toys or games were also included.

The work continuesVolunteers for the Warwick Ecumenical Council will distribute Christmas Food Baskets on Tuesday, Dec. 22.

Individuals and organizations are invited to "adopt" a family and to provide baskets and gifts, donate cash, collect food and toys or volunteer on the distribution day.

Many of the donations, especially toys, will come from the Angel Tree, which has been set up on Main Street in the Village of Warwick, during the celebration of Home for the Holidays.

The Warwick Ecumenical Council urges residents and businesses to reach out and make a difference to a disadvantaged family or a lonely senior.

The Council's Food Pantry is located inside the United Methodist Church.

For information call Marge Koopman at 986-8947.

- Roger Gavan