By Sara Wynn

The second year of Thanksgiving Essential baskets was a huge success! Thanks to the generosity of our congregation, we gave 122 baskets to eight local agency partners to distribute to the populations they serve.  These baskets contained a variety of non-food items such as laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, body wash, and other personal hygiene items.

On November 18^th, with the guidance of adult volunteers, the youth of the church worked diligently during their Sunday school hour to fill the baskets with a mixture of items tailored to the needs of the local agencies. Families then delivered the baskets over the next two days before the Thanksgiving holiday.  Our young people and their families were warmly welcomed and thanked for their generosity and received an education about each agency partner and the population they serve in the process.

“These gifts are even more valuable at this time of year, and because of your contribution, we will be able to better serve the least, the last, and the lost in the Quad Cities.” Christian Care

“Donations like yours directly benefit children and families who are part of the agency’s caseload, as well as others throughout the Quad Cities…Thank you, friends at First Congregational! Your kindness is greatly appreciated.” Bethany for Children & Families.

“Thank you so much for our Thanksgiving Essentials Basket! I will use everything including the basket itself. How kind of you to do something so thoughtful for all of us ladies at Winnie’s Place. Happy Thanksgiving.” Recipient from Winnie’s Place.

Click on the images for a bigger version. Thank you to all of the families and young people who helped deliver baskets!

Thanksgiving Essential Baskets | Sunday November 18th | 9 am

Who’s getting in the holiday spirit? Fall is in full swing with cool crisp nights, pumpkin spice lattes, bonfires, trunk or treating, stores are filled with candy and thanksgiving and Christmas decorations. Pre-holiday season at First Congregational UCC is filled with outreach events like the Mobile Food Pantry, coat drive, trunk or treat and gearing up for Thanksgiving Essential Baskets. 

Years past First Congregational Church prepared food baskets for distribution at Thanksgiving for many years.  We began something different in November 2017. “The concern for our neighbors remains the same,” says Mary Cox, chairperson of the Outreach and Missions Committee of the church.  “The way we are showing it is different; by doing Essentials Baskets.”

The Essentials Baskets will be made up of household items like detergent and paper products and personal hygiene items.  The advantage of the essential supplies it that they are not perishable and they are harder to come by for those needing assistance.

 “SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funds will not cover dish soap or disposable diapers,” says Mary Cox. Church folks have noticed that there are many groups supplying food at the holidays, and that not every family can use a whole turkey or a gallon of milk.

The Essentials Baskets will be assembled on Sunday, November 18, at 9:00 am in the church basement by teams of children, youth and adults.  Then in the next day or two the supplies will be delivered by church families to mission partner agencies. “We want to help the children and youth see the connection of the work we are doing and our mission partners,” says Becca Peterson, Director of Family Ministry for the church.

The partners who will be distributing the Baskets and supplies to their constituents include:  Christian Care or Rock Island; Bethany Children & Families, Moline; Healthy Families (Child Abuse Council), Moline; Family Resources, Davenport; Help at Home, Moline; Salvation Army, Moline; Winnie’s Place, Bettendorf; Robert Young Community Support Program, Rock Island County, and St Joseph the Worker House, Rock Island.

“We expect to distribute over 115 baskets, an increase from last year,” said project coordinator, Sara Wynn.  “We appreciate the generosity of the congregation as the increase in baskets means an increase of expense.”

We thank you for your generosity in contributing towards these baskets. Essentials baskets cost $60 per basket. Please join us in providing essential hygienic needs to those who have to choose between buying food or laundry soap. Contribute by check designated to Essentials Baskets online by clicking below.