Home Sharing’s 2013 Holiday Food Basket program was an over whelming success. Through the combined efforts of numerous organizations, individuals and corporations, Thanksgiving and Christmas food packages were provided to forty-five HomeSharing client families. Food packages containing whole chickens or hams, fresh fruits and vegetables, holiday ‘fixins’ and food staples assured a holiday meal and meals for the days to follow, for a combined total of over 1,600 pounds of food collected and distributed!
Christmas baskets included gifts and toiletries that poured in from our many contributors. Gifts varied from warm pajamas and blanket throws to sweaters, pants, hats, gloves and bathrobes. Receiving these items let people know they were thought and cared about. Many HomeSharing clients are struggling financially and don’t have family support, so it was wonderful to be able to bring some joy to their holidays.
We received notes of thanks from several clients who were recipients of the holiday food and gifts. With their permission, we share with you their words of gratitude:
“Thank you – two simple words that convey deep thoughts of gratitude and appreciation for assistance, help and kind acts. The Thanksgiving and Christmas food basket not only enabled me to have an enjoyable meal during the holidays but kept me encouraged at a time when depression could set in. I am encouraged to keep working to achieve goals. Thank you for the holiday food baskets and Christmas gift.” – Anonymous HomeSharing Client #1
“I recently received the most unexpected and wonderful surprise, several bags of food and a beautiful handmade afghan. I was amazed at the generosity of the donors and wanted to send my sincere personal thanks both to them and to HomeSharing. My stomach and body will be absolutely warm and comfortable for the holiday season as well as during the coming winter. Thank you so much for the many items I received. I am truly grateful. ~ Alice
“I want to thank you for all the wonderful gifts…I really appreciate everything. People as wonderful as you touched the lives of others that are in need…It’s people like you who make a true difference in this world!” ~ Anonymous HomeSharing Client #2
A big “Thank you” to our many contributors, as well as volunteers who assisted with coordinating, delivering, packing and distributing the items. We could never have achieved this without all of your help!
Susanne Bienkoski, Bridgewater Khalsa School, Bridgewater Women’s Club, Maria Calise, Chubb Specialty Insurance and Surety Community and Diversity Efforts (CASCADE), Tanisha Conaway, Council of Catholic Women @ Blessed Sacrament Church, Kimberly Cowart, Alan and Elaine Fass, David Fass, Investor’s Bank, The Margolin Family, Mt. Prospect School – Basking Ridge, Roselle Savings Bank, Somerset County Food Bank, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Somerset County Retired Educators, Temple Beth El, Jennifer Vogel, Young Women’s Christian Council, and Carolyn Zhao.