The Clearwater community is giving families in the area a merrier Christmas because of their generosity.

 

 Monday, a group of volunteers at the Clearwater-Clear Lake Food Shelf spent the morning packing Christmas baskets for 75 families. 

 

“That’s down a little bit from last year when we had 95,” said Karie Gohman, co-coordinator of the food  shelf. “We’re hoping that maybe the economy is making things a little bit better for people.”

 

In the afternoon, families with up to nine members received everything for a festive holiday meal - juice, cookies, fruits, vegetables, pastries, bread,  rolls, milk, eggs, margarine and cereal. Gohman said thanks to a generous donation from Coborn’s, each family received a turkey. And 5 Star in Clear Lake donated bags of fresh potatoes.

 

“We have such a giving community,” said Gohman. “We’re very blessed for what we have and for the amazing volunteers.”

 

It was also a happy day for kids, as the Travel Plaza donated between 60 and 70 presents, handed out by Santa and his elves.

 

And with temperatures expected to drop below zero by Christmas, kids could choose from a variety of scarves, mittens and hats knitted by Cindy Klein of Clearwater.

 

She spends lots of time during the year knitting. She also donates some to the Minneapolis School District. 

 

One of the more popular items is a car seat poncho for the little kids.

 

“They can’t wear coats in car seats or they’re not strapped in tight enough,” said Klein. “You can slip the poncho over their heads and the straps go right over it.”

 

“You’ve got to keep the kids safe and warm.”

 

Gohman said it’s been a busy year at the food shelf, especially in the past two weeks.

 

But donations by businesses, organizations and individuals, plus the hard work by the volunteers have made sure everyone is helped out.

 

“We wouldn’t be where we our without our community,” said Gohman.

 

The food shelf re-opens Tuesday, Jan. 2.