TERRE HAUTE — With the troubled economy and high unemployment, the need for assistance is great in many Terre Haute households this holiday season.
Once again, the Tribune-Star hopes to do its part to help those facing difficult times by providing 500 households with Christmas baskets full of holiday food.
Today, the newspaper is launching its Christmas Basket fund drive with a goal of $20,000.
Traditionally, the kickoff has been closer to Thanksgiving. The newspaper is starting early “because there’s such a need this year,” said Kim Wilkerson, Tribune-Star employee who coordinates the effort along with employees Michelle Poorman and Sue Warnock. The Salvation Army, which determines recipients and provides a list to the Tribune-Star, already has more than 1,550 applications for food and other holiday assistance, said Cathy White, the Salvation Army’s social services director. Last year, about 1,400 had signed up during the same time frame.
“There’s a dire need this year,” White said. “Every agency I know of is strapped.” The Salvation Army is no longer accepting applications for food baskets.
Wilkerson said the fund balance being carried forward this year is about $3,500, less than half of what was carried forward in the 2008 drive.
The Tribune-Star is asking for the community’s help in carrying on a tradition that dates back to the late 1920s.
B.J. Riley, who became the Tribune-Star publisher in March, said the basket fund drive “is a great opportunity for us to partner with the community.”
He’s found people here to be “very giving. It’s just amazing as a newcomer to see that,” he said. “I’m really excited about being part of it this year.”
Money raised goes for a great cause — to put holiday meals on the tables of those who otherwise couldn’t afford it. “We appreciate what anybody can do” to contribute funds and volunteer, he said.
Riley plans to be involved in several ways, from assembling baskets to delivering them. “I just want to be part of it all the way through and see the end result of what this community can do when it comes together,” he said.
The food baskets, provided by Baesler’s, will contain items such as ham, sweet potatoes, corn, a pumpkin pie, fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, cranberries and several other items.
Food baskets will be delivered the morning of Dec. 24, and volunteers will receive a free breakfast at the Tribune-Star building.
“We’re doing it a little bit differently this year” to reduce expenses, Wilkerson said. Baesler’s will bring the food to the Tribune-Star at 222 S. Seventh St., where the baskets will be assembled Dec. 23.
Those who deliver baskets the morning of Christmas Eve will pick up the baskets at the parking lot off Eighth Street.
By reducing expenses, the Tribune-Star hopes to meet its goal of providing 500 baskets, Wilkerson said.
B & B foods is donating a refrigerated truck to store the food and assembled baskets.
Once again, basket recipients who have children in the household also will receive books for each child. The newspaper is accepting donations of gently used or new books for ages ranging from pre-school children to teenagers.
Book donations can be dropped off in the Tribune-Star lobby.
Volunteers are needed to help deliver the Tribune-Star food baskets, and deliveries are made within Terre Haute city limits. This year, volunteers also are needed to assemble the baskets.
Those interested in volunteering should call Poorman at (812) 231-4360 or Wilkerson at (812) 231-4219.
Donations can be sent to the Tribune-Star, c/o Christmas Basket Fund, P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN 47808. Donations also can be dropped off at the newspaper office.
Names of contributors will be published in the newspaper unless those donating ask to remain anonymous.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
• Donations can be sent to the Tribune-Star, c/o Christmas Basket Fund, P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN 47808. Donations also can be dropped off at the newspaper office.
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