Mission seeks holiday gift donations

With more than 300 families enrolled in the Adopt a Family holiday gift program, Open Arms Mission Food Pantry, Antioch, needs community members to open their arms and buy gifts for needy families that otherwise face a meager Christmas.

"Every year the needs of families increase. We encourage the community to follow our motto, 'Neighbor helping neighbor,' by signing up to purchase practical gifts for a less-fortunate family," said the Rev. Scott Keenan, mission director "This year we are counting on our neighbors in Lake Villa and Antioch Townships to adopt a family and provide gifts for those less fortunate."

Keenan said there is a short window of opportunity to participate in the program. Wrapped and tagged gifts are due by Dec. 8 for distribution on Dec. 15.

Families signed up for the program before Thanksgiving, indicating the needs of family members.

"Gifts requested by our families include warm clothing, boots, hats, gloves and mittens, sheets or towels, family games and books. They are not frivolous requests, but items that will add to the quality of life for our families," said Keenan.

The Mission distributed gifts to 264 families last year.

"We are continuing to serve more working families who are experiencing an increasing gap between their income and their ability to meet basic needs. There is little extra income left to purchase Christmas gifts," Keenan said.

Open Arms Mission, 1548 S. Main St., Antioch, distributes food weekly throughout the year to Antioch and Lake Villa Township families. It is a non-profit agency staffed entirely by volunteers.

To make a donation, send a check to Open Arms Mission, P.O. Box 79, Antioch, IL 60002. For details, or to adopt a family, call (847) 395-0309.