For more than 14 years, the annual Scouting for Food drive has helped the Tracy charity and food bank feed the needy during the Thanksgiving holiday — and the need for food this year is expected to grow, said Tracy Interfaith Director Darlene Quinn.
“It’s looking like there is more need this year,” Quinn said Monday, Nov. 12. “Last year, we gave out 400 baskets, but we’re already at 430 for this year.”
Scouts will knock on doors to collect nonperishable Thanksgiving meal items including cranberry sauce, stuffing, yams, potatoes and pumpkin pie along with canned vegetables.
Quinn said Tracy Interfaith also needs frozen turkeys.
Despite 137 turkeys from the Salvation Army and 10 Tracy Interfaith already had in stock, the food bank is 283 turkeys short of meeting the demand for baskets, and Quinn expects more people to sign up through Nov. 21, the final day for people to apply for help.
In addition to the Scouts’ efforts, donations can be dropped off to Tracy Interfaith at 311 W. Grant Line Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Saturday, Nov. 17, donations will be taken from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition to the baskets, Tracy Interfaith helps coordinate the efforts of area churches during the holiday season.
An additional 315 Thanksgiving baskets for families are put together by St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Heartland Church, Journey Christian Church and the First Presbyterian Church.
Quinn said that though the focus is on Thanksgiving, any food donations would be welcomed
“We really need the everyday food items we are going through so fast — things like peanut butter, tuna and cereal,” she said.
After Saturday’s food donation collection, the baskets will be assembled and given out Nov. 19 through Nov. 21.
“We do need all the help we can get,” Quinn said. “Nothing will go to waste — we will turn around and do this again for Christmas,” Quinn said.
First of all, if yer clothin is tattered rags, soiled an unusable, DON'T donate em at Tracy Interfaith.
Also, if they ain't open ta receive yer stuff, don't leave it! Don't leave it on thair doorstep. Th place ain't a dumpin ground fer ya ta get rid of th stuff ya should take ta th dump.
Also, yer ability ta leave items that can be used by someone in need don't give ya th right ta plow through thangs an take what ya want. It's not a swap meet.
Basically, if ya can't use it they can't use it either.
They like canned goods an dry packaged meals. Rolls of paper towels an toilet paper as well. If ya got perishable foods, call em an ask em if they can handle it, don't just drop it off on them an expect everythang is gonna work out right.
Other thangs they frequently need are bags an boxes ta place items given out in. Call em an ask em what they need is best.
These folks are good people an all save fer one or two are volunteers. They deserve respect an not ta be mistreated by people who are just havin a bad day so that too is somethang ta keep in mind.
They fill a vital niche in our society an I respect em fer it.
Ask em how ya can help.
This is the first time I have spent the energy to decode your comments and there is an error. Everyone at Tracy Interfaith Ministry is a volnteer. No one is paid.
That is what I have been doing since August 28. Like I said, I spend one day hanging and sorting clothes from a bin.
No president is involved with that. Please donate canned food, maybe a turkey, and/or clothes, and make a family happy. You will feel great if you do. There is no doubt about that.
Donate some canned goods, perhaps a turkey to Tracy Interfaith. They also accept clothes.
A year ago, my family went through a hard time and for 4 months food was supplemented by Tracy Interfaith. I will always be grateful they were there to help out. I have been on both sides.
I will be donating to this cause as much as I can. Afterall, they were there for me.
Feel for the people in need. The government does not control your heart and feelings. Do your part: Donate a turkey, yams, veggies, etc.
I do mine: I have been going to Tracy Interfaith Ministries every week for a day since the end of August. You do not see me rolling my eyes and complaining about Obama's presidency. I think about getting my job done to help those in need. Just like you should do too.
Please cite your information sources.
IMHO, this country is worse off now than we were just 4 years ago. I really hate to think how much worse it is going to get now that he has 4 more years. Romney may not have been better, there is no way to know. One thing I am sure of, is the debt we are already facing, cannot be fixed by increasing taxes. We need cuts, and to change the mentality of the population that feels they are entitled to something other than that for which they work for and earn.
Golf and fundraising appear to be his priorities.
"... Romney would have just been another Bush and would have made things a million times worse"
Your evidence of that is ? I will concede that Romney was not a community organizer nor did he have a proven track record of selecting business failures in the green energy sector.
"Bush did a great job with Katrina too! NOT"
The common denominator between Sandy and Katrina is what ? F.E.M.A.
Per the local residents, add the Red Cross to that failure list.
We CANNOT borrow our way out of anything except DEEPER troubles.
Sorry about the tone... just woke up and the coffee machine is broken.
-BM