Food Basket
The St. Thomas Food Basket was organized in 1996 and works in conjunction with the Department of Human Resources. Nutritious food staples are distributed monthly to 20-25 clients whose needs have been determined by DHR. Consideration is placed on the elderly, and those who, for one reason or another, find themselves in a position of needing a "hand-up", in the feeding of their family. Clients may be assisted twice yearly. (In extreme circumstances, help may be provided as many as four times/year). A referral form is provided by DHR for each client assisted, so accurate records can be kept.
The Food Basket is sustained by donations of food and cash, and every attempt is made to provide well-balanced and nourishing foods with each distribution. St. Elizabeth Catholic Church joined St. Thomas in 1999 for a combined outreach effort. The Post Office has kindly given the Food Basket the foods collected in their May food drive, several times. All food is labeled, dated and distributed in a current manner. All work is provided by 6-8 volunteers from both churches.