Christmas will be a happier time for some Clearwater area families thanks to the generosity of the community.

 

Monday morning, volunteers packed baskets with food at the Clearwater-Clear Lake Food Shelf and presented them to families that afternoon.

 

“It’s the annual Christmas basket meal,” said Food Shelf Coordinator Karie Gohman. “We’re providing our community, our neighbors - those who need a little extra help, with a traditional meal basket, compliments of Second Harvest, Coborn’s, Kwik Trip, Nelson Brothers and the Legion.”

 

“It will contain everything for a meal, from mashed potatoes, to dressing, to gravy and salad. And we’re handing out meat vouchers for people to go to Coborn’s and pick out a meat of their choice.”

 

The volunteers put together 86 baskets, which is down from last year.

 

“We’re hoping the economy is improving, or maybe they’re going out of town to be with family,” said Gohman.

 

The event took place more than a week before Christmas this year because of timing.

 

“Christmas falls on a Tuesday and our normal delivery is on a Monday,” said Gohman. “But Second Harvest is going to be closed Christmas Eve, so we had to do it today.”

 

Volunteers spent the morning filling baskets, and later in the day, Santa and his elves prepared to give out toys for kids from age one through 17. There were 100 gifts, all donated by the Travel Plaza. There were also hats and mittens knitted locally for family members.

 

“We’re very fortunate in our community. We’ve been very blessed this year and we’re trying to express our gratitude  by being able to help out our neighbors,” said Gohman. “We have a generous amount of volunteers who are putting everything together to make this possible.”

 

The Food Shelf will be closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 5, then will reopen during its normal hours starting Jan. 7.