Once again those who subscribe to The Inter-Mountain have the opportunity help local families have a hearty holiday meal and get local news delivered to their home.
For more than 30 years, the H.W. Daniels American Legion Post 29 has put together food baskets for families who may not otherwise have a traditional Christmas dinner. And again this year, for each person who establishes a new subscription between Nov. 30 and Dec. 12, $10 will be donated to the food basket program. A $5 donation will be given for each subscription upgrade.
The Inter-Mountain Circulation District Manager Clark Evans said that when economic times are difficult is when members of the community need the most help. Renewing or establishing a subscription over the next two weeks provides a way to contribute to a local organization while doing something you may have intended to anyway, Evans added.
Community members play a large role in ensuring the success of the program, Post Commander Mike Cardinal said. Students at Homestead and Beverly Elementary schools, Tygarts Valley Middle/High School and Elkins Middle School have contributed a variety of canned and nonperishable foods, which will be placed in the baskets.
Cardinal added Wal-Mart, the Marine Corps League and the West Virginia Lottery have also made donations to make the baskets possible. Local schools conduct canned food drives and businesses contribute other items and monetary donations.
In 2008, The Inter-Mountain contributed $1,000 to the American Legion for the food baskets. Approximately 130 baskets were made and distributed to area families last year and Cardinal said he expects to prepare around the same number this year.
"It's our duty to take care of our community and veterans, and this is one of the methods we do it," Cardinal said.
The baskets will include a turkey, vegetables, bread, potatoes, apples, soup, cranberry sauce and cake mix. The amount of food in each basket is determined by the family size.
The baskets will be assembled at the American Legion Dec. 17, Dec. 18 and Dec. 19 with the assistance of Boy Scout Troop 66. Cardinal says the baskets will be handed out Dec. 20.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to the American Legion food basket program may call 304-636-3930.
