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December 15, 2009

HOPE prepares baskets of Christmas spirit

Reports strong response despite economic conditions



By Nathan Straus

nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com



Dozens of volunteers from various organizations flocked to the Helping Others Pursue Enrichment center in Jacksonville to stock Christmas baskets for families in need.

Despite economic conditions, HOPE officials reported a steady number of baskets compared to last year’s intake.

Barbara Hugghins, associate pastor at First Methodist Church in Jacksonville and secretary of the Ministerial Alliance, said volunteers filled 400 baskets Monday afternoon.

“The baskets were donated by the Texas Basket Factory,” she said.

Hugghins said $5,000 in funds was received from the United Fund of Cherokee County.

She said each basket contains ham, sugar, flour, cornbread mix, cake mix, pears, applesauce, other assorted fruit, two cans of soup, corn, green beans from the HOPE pantry, beans, rice and a greeting card. The cards were inserted by the Jacksonville Middle School Science Club.

“Most of the food was purchased through the East Texas Food Bank and Brookshire Brothers grocery,” Hugghins said.

According to Hugghins, the process of getting the baskets to families starts with organizations and individuals such as churches, school counselors, home health care representatives and housing authorities. These groups turn in names of those who deserve to receive the gift baskets and HOPE double-checks the names to be sure they are valid and there are no repeats, she said.

Representatives from each organization are expected to pick up the baskets Tuesday and deliver them to their respective families, she said.

Among the volunteers working at HOPE to stock the baskets were people from churches, HOPE and the Ministerial Alliance.

Hugghins thanked Wayne Cessna, who she said organized the flow of food products.

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