Adopt a Thanksgiving Basket effort deemed a success

The Basin Food Pantry tried something new this year for the annual food drive for Thanksgiving baskets, teaming with the Basin Area Chamber and Security State Bank (SSB) to hold an “adoption” of sorts.

SSB bags were available at the chamber and bank and inside them was a list of items needed for a Thanksgiving meal for four. Items like stuffing, gravy and canned veggies. The bags were given out with turkeys and potatoes on Saturday, Nov. 23. 

Charlene Anderson from the Food Pantry said the food/turkey drive was the biggest ever.  “Thirty-seven bags were filled and turned in. People that have never donated to the Thanksgiving baskets before participated. The other good thing was 37 less bags had to be filled by the volunteers. What normally takes them over an hour, took only a half hour because they had to only fill 35 bags versus 60 plus.” 

Non-perishable food drives were done by Riverside FFA, Laura Irwin Elementary White Strip Leaders and Basin First Baptist. More food came in from those drives than ever before. 

Basin First Baptist has spearheaded a turkey drive for a few years. This year letters were sent to other churches in the area by the Food Pantry, inviting them to be a part of the drive.  Over 40 turkeys were collected — about twice the number as last year. 

The United Methodist Church graciously sent a check to purchase turkeys. The Food Pantry also received checks from the First Lady of Wyoming’s Hunger Initiative and several private donors. This enabled the food pantry to purchase additional turkeys. 

Anderson said that right now the food pantry shelves are pretty full, but she doesn’t know how long that will last, especially with Christmas coming. 

The pantry will distribute Christmas baskets to those experiencing food insecurity. She hopes to do an adopt-a-bag and ham drive for those as well.  

“It is so wonderful that giving was up this year. More and more people and families are struggling to feed themselves.  It’s not about just giving out food. It is about helping those that really need it.” 

 Lori Thon, who is also part of the Food Pantry, added, “We are so incredibly overwhelmed how the entire community came together to bless families with food and donation. You all make a difference.”