Christmas Baskets
Christmas Baskets 2024
The Christmas Basket Program is a Holy Family tradition! Every year, Holy Family partners with GraceWorks to provide 200+ families in need with gifts and a food basket for Christmas. The 2024 Holy Family Christmas Basket Program, presented by the Men's Club, will take place during the week of December 9 — 14. With several steps in the process to make this program happen, there is a way for everyone to get involved.
Please note that this year will be similar to last year's program:
- Food baskets only will be prepared at the church this year. It is anticipated that GraceWorks will be giving us 200+ recipient families.
- Gift donations will be handled differently as described below and there will be no gift-wrapping activities at the church.
- Families wishing to deliver a food basket this year must sign up for a specific family and time slot for pickup on Saturday, December 14. Parishioners will not be purchasing gifts for the recipient family that they sign up for. The sign up to deliver food baskets will not be ready until Friday, December 13.
We will be preparing food baskets for 200+ recipient families this year. Although the pandemic has subsided to some degree and many people are vaccinated, there is still a great need among the recipient families we will be serving. We ask that all parish families consider a financial contribution ($35 to $40 per family) to help fund the program as your situation allows.
An appeal will be made during all Masses on the weekend of November 30 and December 1. Online contributions for the Christmas Basket program are encouraged, and this option is available below. Check and cash donations will also be collected after all Masses following the appeal. We thank you in advance for your support of Christmas basket program.
GraceWorks surveyed the recipient families this year. There was an overwhelming response for food assistance. Additionally, the parents would prefer to select gifts at the Manger where they can choose specific gifts for their children. Although the response of Holy Family parishioners over the past 2 years has been incredible, you can understand that there is a certain amount of pride and dignity in buying gifts for your own children. As a result, we are asking parishioners to purchase gifts to be donated to the Manger program rather than buying gifts for adopted families. Gifts for children of all ages and especially teenagers are needed.
Beginning November 15, parishioners can bring the unwrapped gifts they purchase to the church and place them in collection bins located in the Narthex. Gift donations will be accepted through December 6.
Holy Family has committed to staffing the Manger on Wednesday, December 11, at Franklin First United Methodist Church. There are multiple timeslots throughout the day with various activities to support the Manger. Volunteer activities will include parking lot attendants, welcoming recipient families, providing assistance during the gift buying process, sorting and stocking gifts, gift wrapping, etc. This will be another wonderful opportunity to interact with recipient families.
The sign-up link will be available soon.
On Thursday morning of December 12, the Men's Club will need volunteers to help stage the food supplies and set up the 200+ food baskets in the Parish Hall. Masks will be optional for those participating in these activities.
The sign-up link will be available soon.
On Friday evening of December 13, the Men's Club will need volunteers to pack the 200+ food baskets in the Parish Hall. Multiple time slots will be available to limit the number of participants at any one time. Masks will be optional for those participating in these activities.
The sign-up link will be available soon.
On Saturday morning of December 14, the Men's Club will need volunteers to unload the truck (6 – 7:30 am) and load the food baskets into parishioners' cars (7:30 – 10 am).
The sign-up link will be available soon.
This year, it is required to sign up for a specific family to deliver a food basket to on Saturday, December 14. Parishioners will not be buying gifts for their recipient family or families. A sign-up link will include the recipient family information (family number, location, number of adults, and number of children) so that parishioners may choose a particular recipient family demographic to enhance the delivery experience and their interaction with the family.
200+ parishioners will be needed on Saturday morning, December 14, to deliver food baskets to recipient families. The Men's Club will make the process as smooth and safe as possible. There will NOT be a short prayer service in the Worship Center. Parishioners arriving to pick up and deliver food baskets will be queued up in the parking lot and then directed to the Parish Hall where their vehicles will be loaded by volunteers. Staggered arrival times will be used to avoid long wait times.
The sign-up link will be available soon.
Please note, Holy Family does not coordinate who receives a Christmas Basket. If you would like to receive a Christmas basket, contact GraceWorks Ministries at 615.794.9055 or [email protected].