Thanksgiving Baskets

PURPOSE

To provide Thanksgiving meals for the more than 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 food insecurity and appreciate 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 provided). Families bring the purchased groceries to NSCI to pack during a community-wide event the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Volunteers decorate and attach a card with 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 10-15 NSCI volunteers load their cars and drive all the bags to Waukegan that day. For the past few years, Whittier families have been waiting for our caravan so they can bring home a bag with all they need for a family Thanksgiving dinner.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

We reached our goal of providing 400 Thanksgiving baskets! If you still want to participate in this important Tikkun Olam program, please consider making a financial contribution using the form below. All supplemental donations will be used to provide additional gift cards for the Whittier Elementary school students and their families.

Next year's packing event will take place on Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at NSCI.

To find out more, email Sarah Duffin.

If you have already registered to provide a Thanksgiving basket(s), follow these simple steps:

1. Purchase the required groceries

Use this grocery list to buy ONLY the requested items - or - pick up the pre-packed groceries* at Sunset Foods (Highland Park only).

*Potatoes and fruit (apples or oranges) are NOT included in the bags. Please purchase those items along with the already-packed grocery bag!

2. Come to NSCI on Sunday, November 23rd, between 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Assemble the Thanksgiving Basket(s) with your purchased grocery items and make an accompanying holiday card.