Thanksgiving Food Donations Needed

Project Self-Sufficiency is soliciting assistance for hundreds of low-income families who need a little extra help this season, by asking area residents and organizations to sponsor a family at Thanksgiving.  Supporters are asked to purchase a full Thanksgiving meal or provide monetary donations towards the purchase of food.   A list has been compiled of preferred food contributions, which includes pumpkin or apple pies; canned vegetables, including yams and cranberry sauce; dinner rolls; gravy; stuffing and mashed potato mixes.  Contributions of frozen turkeys will also be greatly appreciated.  The non-profit agency distributes complete Thanksgiving dinners to hundreds of local families each year. 

“Requests for assistance continue to increase and we are hoping to be able to serve several hundred families this year,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “This community has consistently demonstrated compassion towards our participants during the holidays, and we are confident that this year will be no exception. “

Contributions, or notification of the intent to contribute, are requested by Thursday, November 15th, in order to allow ample time to distribute the goods to needy families.  Frozen turkeys can be delivered on Monday, November 19th, between 9:00 a.m. –3:00 p.m.; turkeys cannot be accepted earlier or later due to the lack of refrigerated storage space.  Monetary donations will be used to purchase turkeys and other necessary items. 

Project Self-Sufficiency’s mission is to provide the services necessary for single parents, teen parents, displaced homemakers and two-parent families to improve the quality of their lives and those of their children through the attainment of economic self-sufficiency and family stability.  Project Self-Sufficiency offers a supportive family-centered environment where life issues are addressed through a combination of individual counseling, peer support groups, case management services, parenting skills training, life skills management training, home visits, childcare and early childhood education, family activities and health education.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,000 families, including more than 30,000 children.

Contributions will be gratefully accepted at Project Self-Sufficiency which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  To make a donation, or to find out more about the programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.