2020 Thanksgiving Basket Project

*For all members new to the project, the information below will describe the goals of the event.  For members familiar with this annual project, please read carefully the details below, referencing new COVID 19 precautions.

The Thanksgiving Basket Project is a joint venture with the Rotary Club of New Orleans, First Grace United Methodist Church and the Warren Easton and Ben Franklin Interact Clubs.  Participants will pack and distribute baskets to 150 needy families in the New Orleans area.  The list of recipients is provided by First Grace, and is comprised of names from not only their membership, but also from the following organizations:  NO/AIDS Task Force – Transitional Housing, Hagar’s House, resident of Tivoli Circle, St. Paul UMC, and the New Orleans Worker Center for Racial Justice.

Each basket is designed to help feed a family for the week of Thanksgiving, especially considering that children will be out of school during that time.

This year’s event distribution will take place on Thursday, November 19^th at First Grace.  The sorting and packing of food items will take place from 2:30 – 4:30 PM.  The distributions of baskets to recipients will be from 4:30 – 6:30 PM.

Changes due to COVID-19

**ALL volunteers will be required to wear MASKS and GLOVES

**ALL recipients of the baskets will not be permitted to enter the church.

**All attempts will be made to maintain social distancing while filling the baskets in the church.

**It is recommended that volunteers also bring a pair of work gloves.

Additional Changes to prior Thanksgiving Projects

Due to the complications from the pandemic we will not be asking for physical food donations from our membership.  Monetary donations will be greatly appreciated.  As a guide line, each basket costs approximately $75.00.  If you would like to donate, please contact Tara and she can add your donation amount to your rotary statement.

Please volunteer to help with this extremely worthwhile project.  You can access the volunteer signup through the "upcoming events" section of the BOLO.  We will also be sending an email solicitation to sign up.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at mlbonfanti@aol.com or call 504-451-0491.

I am looking forward to joining with you to create another successful event with First Grace United Methodist Church.  This project does MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Yours in the Spirit of Rotary,

Mary