EL RENO BLESSING BASKETS INC

THE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN GROCERY PROGRAMS GOAL IS TO SUPPLY NUTRITIOUS GROCERIES TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WHO LIVE IN WESTERN CANADIAN COUNTY. WHEN CHILDREN ARE OUT OF SCHOOL DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR, THESE FAMILIES HAVE TWO MORE MEALS PER CHILD THAT MUST BE PROVIDED ON A DAILY BASIS. THIS CREATES A FINANCIAL DRAIN ON THE FAMILIES DURING THESE SCHOOL BREAKS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE HEALTHY, KID FRIENDLY GROCERIES TO FEED CHILDREN WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE GO HUNGRY. THE GROCERIES AND GROCERY VOUCHERS ARE GIVEN FIVE TO SIX TIMES IN THE SUMMER, AT SPRING BREAK, AND FALL BREAK. A FAMILY MAKES APPLICATION AND APPROVALS ARE BASED PRIMARILY ON INCOME. OVER 12,000 PEOPLE HAVE BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

SINCE 1999, EL RENO BLESSING BASKETS HAS ORCHESTRATED THE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IN WESTERN CANADIAN COUNTY. CHRISTMAS BASKETS OF FOOD, TOYS AND OTHER TANGIBLE ITEMS ARE DISTRIBUTED BY VOLUNTEERS TO THOSE IN NEED AT CHRISTMAS. FOOD, GROCERY VOUCHERS, ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD GIFT ITEMS AND A PROVISION FOR THE PARENTS TO PURCHASE THEIR CHILDREN(S) GIFT ARE PROVIDED. FAMILIES MAKE AN APPLICATION AND APPROVALS ARE BASED ON INCOME AND SPECIAL SITUATIONS. PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS ARE MET WITH THE CARE AND CONCERN SHOWN BY THE COMMUNITY. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, OVER 2,500 PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED CHRISTMAS BASKETS. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO SERVE THE NEEDY AT A STRESSFUL TIME OF YEAR AND CURTAIL THE DEPRESSION OF POVERTY, GIVING THEM HOPE DURING THE HOLIDAYS. MANY CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, SCHOOL CLASSES AND INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEER FOR THE CHRISTMAS BASKET PROGRAM.