Modesto-area holiday food/clothes drives, volunteer work, meals. Here’s how to give, receive
Thanksgiving is next week, as store shelves jammed with stuffing mixes, cranberry sauce and canned yams remind us. While out gathering your groceries, you might consider buying something for the less fortunate as well.
Here are some Modesto-area opportunities to help brighten someone’s holiday season. This story will be updated as we learn of more, so businesses and organizations with something to share should email information to local@modbee.com with the subject line “Stanislaus holiday food drives.”
▪ The accounting and consulting firm Rea & Associates is holding its 11th annual turkey drive from Wednesday, Nov. 15, through Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving. It will benefit Modesto Gospel Mission and aims to help feed at least 1,000 families. “Donations of any size accepted by mail, phone or in person with cash, check, card or frozen turkeys,” reads a news release from the business, located at 1937 Coffee Road. Hours it will receive in-person donations are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.). Through the generosity of the Grocery Outlet at 832 Oakdale Road, Rea & Associates will be able to purchase turkeys at a volume discount. To learn more, call Heidi or Deanna at 209-521-2727.
▪ Through eTrans, the city of Escalon will hold a “Stuff This Bus” food drive on Saturday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19. Donations will benefit Escalon C.A.R.E. to help those in need for this holiday season. The event is at Mar-Val’s Main Street Market, 1900 McHenry Ave. in Escalon. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. An eTrans bus will be parked in front of the store and volunteers will accept perishable and nonperishable food. A news release says Mar-Val customers who buy any item for donation will get a a “10% discount off their purchases at the store during this weekend event.”
▪ At the Stanislaus County Interfaith Council’s Celebrating Gratitude in Our Community event Thursday, Nov. 16, attendees are asked to bring a donation of nonperishable food for the Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus, or FIGS. The gathering will be a Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave., and starts with a car show at 5:30 p.m. followed by presentations at 7.
▪ On Nov. 25, Wynfull + Wonder boutique in Oakdale is supporting HAVEN (Healthy Alternatives to Violent Environments) by offering photos with Santa. Cost is $20 for a family of two or more and $15 for a single. People are asked to bring new or gently used clothes or toys to receive a store discount. The hours of the benefit are 1 to 5 p.m., and the boutique is at 132 N. Yosemite Ave. To learn more, call HAVEN, 209-284-4732.
Community meals also offered, volunteers sought
▪ A Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Ceres Rotary will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at The Salvation Army Red Shield Community Center, 1649 Las Vegas St., Modesto. It’s a dine-in meal only, not food to go. To learn more, call 209-538-7111.
▪ Thanksgiving at the Mission, held annually the day before Thanksgiving, will be celebrated at Modesto Gospel Mission, 1400 Yosemite Blvd. From 3 to 5 p.m., the mission anticipates serving a traditional holiday meal to more than 1,000 men, women and children. Guests also will be given free winter wear including coats, sweaters, hats, gloves and scarves. Meal preparation starts Tuesday, Nov. 14. To sign up, go to tinyurl.com/momissionmeal.
▪ The Thanks 4 Giving meal presented by The Salvation Army Modesto and the Costa family will be served on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. It’s a free meal for all at Modesto Centre Plaza, 1000 L St. Anyone interested in volunteering should call 209-522-3209 ask for Mirna.
