On Saturday, December 10, the Bread of Life Food Pantry conducted a Santa Shop for the children of the families we serve. Parents and guardians were welcomed from 12-3pm and given the opportunity to select age-appropriate items for their children.
Pantry managers and volunteers organized tables with the gifts, and parents could walk around the assembly room with an escort and choose presents they believed their children would like. Parents also could choose one "large' gift from reserved offerings. Large gifts ranged from scooters to trucks to doll houses.
The pantry also raffled a girl's bike from a donor family. The winner was the mother of a young girl who said her daughter's bike was taken from her porch, and so it was deeply appreciated.
Parents were also given gift cards collected from donors which could be used to supplement their giving or to give as presents to older teens. All gifts were greatly appreciated.
Staff and volunteers were instrumental in this effort. Pantry managers Alexis Weber and Heather Sekely organized the room, gifts, and volunteers. Many hours went into the preparations. Dedicated volunteers helped facilitate a smooth operation. Donna, Patty, Laura, Leslie, Carie, Ray and John dedicated many hours to the program. We also had the help of four young people from Blessed Trinity on Middle Road - Maddie, Luca, Jules and Kean.
We cannot say enough about the community support offered to the pantry to hold this event. Donors from various churches provided gifts and gift cards. Community organizations and businesses also contributed.
Two parents wrote to the pantry saying they did not know what they would have done for Christmas without the help of our donors.
Thanks to all for making a memorable Christmas and may God bless you.