Thanksgiving Basket Program Underway to Assist Local Families In-Need

The decades-long tradition of giving Thanksgiving Baskets to local people in-need during the holidays continues, thanks to the hard work and commitment of the Buffalo Grove and Wheeling Rotary Clubs.

"For more than three decades, our clubs have joined forces to help make the Thanksgiving holiday a little brighter for individuals and families experiencing challenges," said Denny Snyder, Buffalo Grove Rotary Club member, and the chairman of the program. "In addition to nonperishable food, we will also accept monetary donations to help purchase food and grocery gift cards to provide along with these holiday meals."

Gift cards are provided in the Thanksgiving Baskets so that recipients can purchase meat, such as a turkey, Cornish hen or a ham, for the holiday. The baskets also include games that the children especially enjoy over the Thanksgiving break.

"Our satisfaction comes from providing families with these baskets for the holidays; their smiles and appreciation are truly overwhelming, and make all of our efforts so worthwhile," Snyder said.

Nonperishable food items to fill the baskets, including vegetable oil, rice, egg noodles, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, soup, SpaghettiOs, sugar, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, granola bars, microwave popcorn and canned meats, fruit and vegetables, are currently being accepted.

The deadline to provide donations is Monday, Nov. 12, and items can be dropped off in Buffalo Grove at the Buffalo Grove Fitness Center, 601 Deerfield Parkway; the Buffalo Grove Park District Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive; and in Wheeling at the Indian Trails Library, 355 Schoenbeck Road.

Cash and gift cards are being accepted, which can be dropped off during normal business hours at Edward Jones, 791 S. Buffalo Grove Road, in Buffalo Grove. Monetary donations can also be made through the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club website at bgrotary.org.

Area businesses willing to display a food collection box for this effort are asked to contact Denny Snyder at (847) 541-4949. All collected and purchased food will be distributed the week before Thanksgiving. This service project provides roughly 200 baskets to families in-need, each year.

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