› Thanksgiving Drive for Chester Eastside Families
Sat. Nov. 21 / 8:30 am – noon / in the SPC parking lot
AND Sun. Nov 22 / 8:30 am –10:15 am / in the Fellowship Kitchen driveway
› Thanksgiving Drive for Chester Eastside
Sat. Nov. 21 / 8:30 am – noon
in the SPC parking lot
Sun. Nov. 22 / 8:30 –10:15 am
in the Fellowship Kitchen driveway
ach year, SPC donates Thanksgiving meals to families in Chester via our long-standing mission partner, Chester Eastside (CEI). The food pantry at CEI operates 50 weeks a year, and during this holiday time the remarkably resilient and grateful clients appreciate a traditional Thanksgiving meal as we celebrate together the day that President George Washington proclaimed in 1784 to be “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God.” This year, for the second year in a row, we will be joining efforts with the Swarthmore Presbyterian Nursery Day School (SPNDS) families to level up our ability!
CEI is hoping to provide 300 meals this year, up 20% from last year due to the increased difficulty families are experiencing meeting their basic needs. SPC has been asked to provide at least 140 full meals (see below). Last year we surpassed the goal, to great delight! To do this again, we will need broad support to achieve it, even surpass it!
Thanksgiving Drive Shopping List
- Frozen turkey (at least 10 pounds)
- Stuffing mix (1 large or 2 small)
- Cranberry sauce (1) 15 ounce can
- Gravy (1 large or 2 small)
- Canned vegetables: corn and green beans (2 each)
- Mac and cheese (2 boxes)
- Instant mashed potatoes (1 large or 2 small)
- Canned yams (1 large)
- Jiffy corn muffin mix (1)
What goes into each family’s bag?
We welcome all items on this list. If you are inclined to support a whole family, please bring the quantities noted on the list. Chester Eastside provides each recipient with the same meal, so please limit your donation to the items on the list. In addition to the items on the list, fresh produce such as onions, sweet potatoes, cabbage, celery, carrots, apples, oranges, and clementines are also needed. We have been asked this year NOT to include desserts. Plastic bags for turkeys and reusable and paper bags for groceries are also very helpful.
Interested in helping to receive and sort donations? This is a fun and super-useful project for families with children as well as adults. Time slots are flexible. Please RSVP directly to David Herring.
Financial contributions are also welcome!
While food donations are preferred, donations towards purchases provide a great way for Hunger Group shoppers to fill in the gaps. The cost of one of the above family bags is estimated at $45.00 using store brand items where possible. Donations (by November 16 if possible) may be made either by check or cash, mailed or delivered to the church office. Checks should be made payable to Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, with “Turkey Drive” indicated on the memo line.
Parking lot logistics
For drop-off on Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22
Saturday morning the parking lot will effectively be “one way.” Please enter near the church office and proceed slowly past the playground, where volunteers will help unload your donations. Sunday morning, please leave your donations on the tables in the Fellowship kitchen driveway. Volunteers will organize everything into vehicles for transport to Chester Eastside by 10:15 am.
Parking lot logistics
For drop-off on Saturday, Nov. 21
and Sunday, Nov. 22
Saturday morning the parking lot will effectively be “one way.” Please enter near the church office and proceed slowly past the playground, where volunteers will help unload your donations. Sunday morning, please leave your donations on the tables in the Fellowship kitchen driveway. Volunteers will organize everything into vehicles for transport to Chester Eastside by 10:15 am.
Financial contributions are also welcome!
While food donations are preferred, donations towards purchases provide a great way for Hunger Group shoppers to fill in the gaps. The cost of one of the above family bags is estimated at $45.00 using store brand items where possible. Donations (by November 16 if possible) may be made either by check or cash, mailed or delivered to the church office. Checks should be made payable to Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, with “Turkey Drive” indicated on the memo line.
