Thanksgiving Baskets
PURPOSE
To provide Thanksgiving dinners for the nearly 400 families of Whittier Elementary School in Waukegan.
WHO DO WE SERVE
For more than a decade, NSCI families have come together the weekend before Thanksgiving to pack Thanksgiving meals for the families of Whittier Elementary. Whittier is a K–5 grade school whose families all experience some food insecurity, and are extremely appreciative of our community's generosity. This program helps to nurture NSCI's long standing relationship with our neighbors in Waukegan.
WHAT WE DO
Volunteers receive a list of non-perishable groceries and produce to shop for (list below). After purchasing the groceries, families bring them to the temple to pack in a community event the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Volunteers can decorate the attached card and add a holiday message. In addition to the bag of groceries, each Whittier family receives a grocery gift card to purchase a turkey for their holiday meal. About ten NSCI volunteers load their cars and drive all the bags to Waukegan that day. The following week, Whittier families can bring home a bag with all they need for a family Thanksgiving dinner.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Join us! Sunday, November 19th, 10:00 am–12:00 pm, at NSCI. Come by any time between 10:00 am–12:00 pm to assemble the purchased grocery items and to make holiday cards, or simply drop off the requested grocery items during that time.
RSVP below using the registration form.
After registering, please purchase ONLY the following items for each family (Thanksgiving Basket) you're sponsoring:
2 - 14 oz. cans of cranberry sauce
2 - 6 oz. boxes/bags of stuffing
4 - 14–15 oz. cans of vegetables (corn, peas, green beans)
2 - 15 oz. cans of sweet potatoes
1 - ready-to-serve non-perishable dessert (pudding, box of cookies)
2 - envelopes of gravy mix
2 - 18–19 oz. cans of soup (chicken noodle, vegetable)
1 - 14–16 oz. box/bag of rice or pasta
6 - oranges or apples
1 - 5 lb. bag of potatoes
Along with the items listed above that you will bring to NSCI on November 19th, we are collecting $25 per family ("basket") for a $25 grocery gift card (already purchased by NSCI) for Whittier families to buy their own Thanksgiving turkey. Please include your payment upon registration. If you're not able to participate but still want to contribute to this important program, please use the "Donate Only" option below.
Additionally, join us for a tot-friendly mitzvah project from 10:00–11:00 am! Shop in advance for items using our tot-friendly grocery list here. Then come by on Sunday to assemble grocery items and make holiday cards, or simply drop off the requested grocery items during that time. Participate in the mitzvah project and meet other families with young children. There will be an area to play and a craft for tots and siblings.
Thank you!
