Just Food Set to Distribute 475 Meals to Families In Need

Just Food, the food bank in Douglas County will be distributing Thanksgiving baskets beginning next Monday, November 21, 2011. Originally, Just Food was set to distribute 300 baskets. They began taking a waiting list for any additional families above 300. However, they noticed that the need was far exceeding what was expected.

"It was absolutely unbelievable," Jeremy Farmer, Just Food Executive Director said. "We had 100 signed up in three days, and we had hit our limit after holding sign ups for a week and a half."

Just Food made a tough decision to step out on a limb to provide more than 475 Thanksgiving baskets to everyone who had signed up. Team members at the warehouse wanted to make sure that no one went hungry this holiday season. They have begun to take requests for Christmas baskets, and the number who are being signed up is faster than the rate of those who signed up for Thanksgiving.

It is costing Just Food $25 per Thanksgiving basket. These baskets will contain servings of grains, protein, fruit, vegetables, and dairy.

"It is important to us that we not only provide a turkey for these Thanksgiving baskets, but to provide a nutritious meal for residents in Douglas County. Countless people are stepping up but we took a big risk to feed these folks. I am confident that we'll have the resources to meet the need. There's no other place I'd rather be than Douglas County. They know what it means to fight hunger," Farmer said.

If you would like to donate to help provide food for families, please donate at www.justfoodfund.org or you may send a check to Just Food, 1200 E. 11th Street, Lawrence, KS 66046. All donations are tax deductible. For any questions, please contact Just Food at justfood@eckan.org or at 785.856.7030.

Tagged: just food, thanksgiving baskets, holiday bureau, christmas, holidays, turkeys