Holiday Food and Gift Basket

11/17/2024

As of now, there are still about 100 people who need sponsors. Thank you to those who sponsored already. If you have not and would like to help one or more neighbors in need, please click the attached link. Thank you!

11/11/2024

HFGB still needs sponsors for 300 people.

To sign up visit our website, scroll to the bottom, and complete the sponsor request form.

Holiday Food and Gift Basket, a program of the Community of Congregations, has been spreading holiday joy in Oak Park and River Forest since the 1970’s. Every year we provide grocery gift cards in November and holiday gifts in December to families that have been referred to us by schools, township offices, and social service agencies. This year, we will serve 786 families totaling 2,195 people.

Thank you for helping our neighbors in need.

Fall has arrived and we are hard at work preparing for the upcoming Holiday Food and Gift Basket season. This year, we anticipate serving nearly 800 families totalling more than 2,100 individuals and the success of our program depends on the generosity of community members like you. Here is how you....

11/09/2023

Thanksgiving is just two weeks away and Holiday Food and Gift Basket needs your help! If you've already signed up to sponsor, donate, or volunteer, then thank you! Please spread the word to friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues about the good work we are doing in Oak Park and River Forest.

If you haven't signed up yet, then please consider becoming a:

1. SPONSOR - We still need sponsors for about 250 families. Many of these families are requesting only gift cards which makes for an easy shopping trip.
2. DONOR - We are about $20,000 short of our fundraising goal.
3. VOLUNTEER - We need drivers to deliver gifts on December 9.

We couldn't exist without the support of community members like you. Please help us reach our goal of getting all 773 referred families a grocery gift card and holiday gifts.

Fall has arrived and we are hard at work preparing for the upcoming Holiday Food and Gift Basket season. This year, we anticipate serving over 800 families totalling more than 2,200 individuals and the success of our program depends on the generosity of community members like you. Here is how you ca...

11/06/2022

It's that time of year to sign up to sponsor for the Holiday Food & Gift Basket!!
Sponsors are still needed for many participants- we are seeing an increase in the number of families we serve. We have quite a few families of five, six and seven. Consider asking a friend to sponsor with you to cover a larger family.

Email [email protected] or click on this link https://www.communityofcongregations.org/hfgb.html

Not a fan of shopping? Sign up to take 1 or more people requesting gift cards.

Thank you!

05/25/2021

The Community of Congregations seeks applicants for the position of Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program Director. The Holiday Food and Gift Basket (HFGB) Program Director is responsible for all aspects of the leadership, management, and implementation of the HFGB program under the sponsorship of the Community of Congregations. The program serves approximately 780 families from the Oak Park/River Forest and surrounding communities, providing financial and material support for their celebration of Thanksgiving and December holidays. Strong applicants will possess excellent communication, organizational, and relational skills, as well as previous administrative experience that demonstrates the ability to solve problems and work independently. This is a part-time, salaried position reporting to the COC Board of Directors.

The Community of Congregations is an equal opportunity employer. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. Interested parties can request more information or to apply, send a letter of inquiry, résumé, and contact information for two references to [email protected]

01/17/2021

12/01/2020

HFGB is getting the love this year! Thank you Oak Park Apartments for this generous donation!

Our second, and official outreach is to the Holiday Food and Gift Basket.

Their mission is to provide food gift cards at Thanksgiving and holiday gifts in December to low-income families, seniors and adult singles in Oak Park and River Forest. HFGB we are grateful for all you do to help people during the holidays! You will be receiving $1000 from your friends at Oak Park Apartments.

11/28/2020

On behalf of the families and individuals supported by HFGB, thank you to our donors for your generosity! We could not do what we do without you. The following are just some of the many heartfelt notes of appreciation from our recipients. 🥰🧡💛💚🤎💜

11/25/2020

Thank you Wednesday Journal and Stacey Sheridan for sharing the changes and fundraising needs for this year. You really captured the spirit of the program!

Since the 1970s, the Community of Congregation's Holiday Food and Gift Basket program has provided Oak Park and River Forest households in need.

11/22/2020

Thank you River Forest United Methodist Church for the shout out!! Donations are still needed to reach our fundraising goal. Donate online or send checks to HFGB, PO Box 3365, Oak Park, IL. 60303. Thank you!