Christmas is a time of giving, and people in the Clearwater community are 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 95 families. It’s a tradition that’s been happening for years, and the community continues to make sure everyone in the area has a Christmas to remember.

 

“The support throughout the community is amazing,” said Karie Gohman, co-coordinator of the food  shelf. “We’re very fortunate that we have such generous donors.”

 

Families in size from one to nine received everything anyone would need for a festive holiday meal. This year the meal included beef stew, potatoes au gratin, spaghetti, peanut butter, cake mix, cranberry juice, rice, cookies, fruits, vegetables, pastries, bread, chocolate chip oatmeal, frozen blueberries, sweet rolls, milk, eggs and margarine.

 

“We’re also handing out hams,” said Gohman. “We got them at no cost to us through Second Harvest.”

 

Families could also ask for a meat voucher to use at Coborn’s if they didn’t like ham, said Gohman.

 

There were also gifts for all kids up to 16 years of age, donated by Nelson Brothers Travel Plaza.

 

Santa and his elves were on hand Monday afternoon to hand out the toys.

 

Gohman said the donations throughout the community help make the holiday meal possible. And there were even a few surprise donations this year.

 

“Allina Health has a candy buyback program. We’ve never been part of that, but we just received a check in the mail from them,”said Gohman. “That will help cover some of the costs today.”

 

Food shelf volunteers arrived early Monday to get things started. The truck from Second Harvest arrived at about 11 a.m. and the unpacking, sorting and packing began in preparation for handing out the baskets and toys later that day.

 

Gohman said the volunteers will get a break after  this week. Since the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is so hectic, the Food Shelf will be closed until after the New Year.

 

“We couldn’t ask for better volunteers,” she said. “This will give them a chance to rest and spend time with their families.”

 

The Clearwater-Clear Lake Food Shelf is located in the Lions Pavilion at 1100 Co. Rd. 75 in Clearwater. 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).