Nonprofit offers food drive for Easter holiday
3/23/2010TEMPERANCE - Bedford Goodfellows has been there for Thanksgiving and Christmas to take care of the community's less fortunate.
Food items collected by the nonprofit group are distributed to needy families during the festive holiday seasons.
Yet, it is no different at Easter for the poor.
"Before, we only had the food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas. But we decided there was need for the program [more] than just at those two times and we added Easter a long time ago," Chris Knaggs, chief of the nonprofit group, said.
The organization is accepting applications for the Easter food giveaway until Friday. Applications can be completed at the Retired Senior Volunteer Program office, 1623 West Sterns Rd., between 9 a.m. and noon and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Proof of need for assistance, such as unemployment, Social Security, or disability, must be provided to qualify.
About 150 families will be given Easter baskets. "What we try to do is purchase enough stuff for a decent dinner," Mr. Knaggs said.
The baskets, which will include some type of meat, bread, gelatin, fruit, canned vegetables, margarine, eggs, milk, and potatoes, will be distributed at 8 a.m. April 3 at Lambertville United Methodist Church, 8165 Douglas Rd.
Mr. Knaggs said the organization has a goal of reaching 600 to 800 families this year with the food giveaway programs.
"We cannot do the work without the pole of Bedford Township. It is a very caring community," he said.
He said businesses in the township have been supportive of the organization's efforts.
Bedford Goodfellows also operates a similar food basket program in the summer.
"The money we get from our businesses and individuals in Bedford Township stays here and goes back to the people of Bedford Township," Mr. Knaggs said.
In Monroe, a mobile food pantry will be parked Saturday at Munson Park, 2770 North Custer Rd., to distribute food as part of annual community Easter egg hunt sponsored by the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and the United Way of Monroe County.
After the 11 a.m. egg hunt, volunteers from the Monroe County Opportunity Program and Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan will pass out food to needy families.
The organizations hope to help more than 350 families.
More information, including registering for the program, is available by contacting the opportunity program at: 734-241-2775.
Registration for the egg hunt will begin at 10 a.m.
Youngsters from 18 months to 12 years old will be divided into age groups in the search for plastic eggs and can enter into a raffle to win one of eight bicycles or eight Easter baskets.
Chocolate Easter bunnies will be given to the first 1,000 children who register.