Almost 100 families in the Clearwater area had a happier Thanksgiving this year, thanks to the generosity of people and businesses in the community.

 

Monday, volunteers gathered at the Clearwater-Clear Lake Food Shelf to pack Thanksgiving baskets for 95 families who otherwise might not have had the opportunity for a full holiday meal. 

 

Giving out the baskets has become a long-standing tradition at the food shelf, and it was the community that made it possible.

 

“We’ve had tremendous donations,” said Karie Gohman, food shelf co-coordinator along with Susie Brown. “We can’t thank the Clearwater Lions enough, and the Legion Riders provided all the boxes for the food.”

 

The boxes included everything a family would need for a festive Thanksgiving: mashed potatoes, stuffing, fruit, cereal, green beans, cole slaw, cranberries, eggs, margarine, milk and a gift card for a turkey at Coborn’s.

 

“We’ve even included a recipe this year so everyone can use their leftover turkey,” said Gohman, “So we included rice for a turkey and rice casserole.”

 

Over the past few years, the number of baskets has topped the 100 mark. Gohman said they were prepared for at least 100, but the numbers were down a bit.

 

“That’s where we’ve been lately,” she said.

 

Most of the food in the baskets came from Second Harvest Heartland, a food bank that delivered 77 million meals last year.

 

“We have the ability to stretch our dollars a lot more when we buy from them,” said Gohman.

 

Brown started buying items for the Thanksgiving meal in mid-October. Monday, volunteers began packing the boxes early in the day while waiting for the final delivery from Second Harvest. Then everyone worked together to fill each box for families ranging in size from one to eight people.

 

“And now we have some new younger people volunteering this time,” said Gohman. “It’s good to get the younger group into it  because we’re going to get old one of these days.”

 

The food shelf also got some last-minute help from Stearns Electric. The company made a donation from its Operation Round-up Program.

 

“It came in last week,” said Gohman. “It was perfect timing.”

 

But it was the year-round generosity of the community that made it happen, said Gohman.

 

“We have people who donate every month. They allow us to do what we’re doing today,” she said. “I think we’re probably the only food shelf that still gives out Thanksgiving baskets.”

 

Food shelf volunteers won’t have much time to rest after Thanksgiving. It will be Christmas soon, and the food shelf will be giving out meals and gifts again.

 

Gohman said they will be asking families who received a Thanksgiving meal if they want to sign up for Christmas. People can also call the food shelf or stop in to sign up. The deadline to sign up is Dec. 7. The meals will be distributed Dec. 19.

 

Santa and his elves will also be there handing out gifts for kids.

 

Again, it will be the generosity of people, businesses, churches and community organizations that makes it happen.

 

“Our community is so generous, we just can’t believe it,” said Gohman. “Susie and I are in awe.”

 

The Clearwater-Clear Lake Food Shelf is located in the Lions Pavilion at 1100 Co. Rd. 75. It is open Monday 5:30 -7 p.m, Tuesday 9-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday 3-5 p.m.

 

The phone number is 320-558-2954 (24/7 answering service).