The Holiday Food and Gift Basket (HFGB) provides food gift cards for Thanksgiving to low income families, seniors and adult singles living in the Oak Park and River Forest communities. It also coordinates delivery of hundreds of gifts to the same households for the December holidays. Under the auspices of the Community of Congregations since 2001, the program’s history spans back to the 1970’s, when people realized the need in our communities. All referrals come through the Oak Park and River Forest Townships, local public schools, local churches and social service organizations, including Parenthesis, Hephzibah, and Thrive Counseling Center, among others. To succeed the program relies on hundreds of sponsors to purchase gifts for those referred to the HFGB and many volunteers to organize and deliver the gifts. The program also counts on donations to fund the food gift cards distributed to the referred households, which cost the program about $30,000 each year. These food gift cards help make the holidays special for our recipients by assuring that they can choose some of their favorite foods or ingredients at the holidays to continue their families’ traditions. Financial donations are welcomed anytime and are primarily used to fund the food gift cards. Donations may be sent to Holiday Food and Gift Basket, P.O. Box 3365, Oak Park, IL 60303. Email [email protected] to be added to our volunteer, sponsor, or driver list. Visit our website to learn more http://www.communityofcongregations.org/hfgb.html
