Food coalition accepting donations for Thanksgiving food boxes

The Sterling Community Food Coalition will receive food collected from an annual food drive through the school district, but that food won’t be received until the end of November.

For details about the 11th annual canned food drive by the Key/Kiwanis Clubs, see this week’s Community Datebook listings.

Rebecca Cooley, the Sterling Community Food Coalition pantry coordinator, said there have been multiple inquiries about Thanksgiving boxes.

Several of the counties served by God’s Pantry make additional food boxes for Thanksgiving.

“We never have, but I thought if we could, I’d make up a list of things to have to put in those,” Cooley told the Advocate.

Monday, Cooley said that a business and organization already have committed to one providing 100 turkey breasts and the other 50 hams. Cooley said she also planned to contact another business that has donated turkeys/ham in the past, which would enable the pantry to potentially serve another 100-plus people.

“We also get a few when we get our weekly donations from grocery stores and we have been putting those back in the freezer. I think we may be covered on that.”

It’s other items to fill the boxes the pantry needs: mashed potatoes (instant), stuffing mix, mac and cheese, corn, regular or creamed corn, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauces, mayo, mustard, salt and pepper and vegetable oil. Those items are requested by Nov. 12.

The pantry is working with the school system and other organizations to ensure services are not duplicated. 

You can see a specific size suggestion for each item on the pantry’s social media page. The anticipated cost for the items listed above is $22.43 at Walmart.

If you choose to purchase items they can be dropped off at the pantry, 515 Maysville Road.

Items can be dropped off on the dock and those donating can ring the doorbell if assistance is needed.

The pantry is open each week to the public on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Anyone registered who wants to make an appointment can do so, Cooley said, until appointments are filled up. If you don’t wish to make an appointment, she advises waiting until 4:30 to arrive.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the pantry, such as helping stock or packing Thanksgiving boxes, can call 888-765-7232.