Community

Basket Brigade hoping to feed 800 families this Thanksgiving

For decades, the Gig Harbor Basket Brigade has delivered Thanksgiving meals to those in need. This year, the need is even greater.

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An estimated 15% of Pierce County residents have been negatively affected by the government shutdown, including federal workers missing paychecks and delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program and Women, Infants and Children benefits.

The Basket Brigade now operates as part of the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. Last year, more than 400 volunteers helped sort, box, and deliver more than 560 meals, according to Julie Gustanski, president emeritus and CEO of foundation.  This year, the organization hopes to have enough food and monetary donations to serve 800 families.

Last year, more than 400 volunteers helped sort and pack boxes of Thanksgiving meals for Basket Brigade recipients. The Basket Brigade is part of the nonprofit Greater Gig Harbor Foundation, which plans to serve 800 families this year. Photo courtesy of Greater Gig Harbor Foundation

Timing change

The staging location and delivery date will change this year, said Dan Gregory, who serves on the leadership team. Staging will take place at Latitude 47 Commerce Center on Bujacich Road on Nov. 21, the Friday before Thanksgiving, with delivery of baskets on Saturday, Nov. 22.

“There are a couple of reasons for the change in date,” said Gregory. “One, we want to make sure that families have all of those items that they need for Thanksgiving dinner prior to the week going into Thanksgiving. And we want them to have time to thaw the turkey.”

The organization has raised $15,000 toward its goal of $55,000. Anyone in need from the area is eligible to receive a meal.

“We don’t look at income level, or household numbers,” Gregory said. “On the website there is a “nominate a family” button, and a family may put their own name in. Our goal is to meet the needs of families.”

The brigade’s service area includes Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsula and Port Orchard, as well as Naval Base Kitsap and Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

“All have indicated a larger need than last year,” he said. “The goal is 800 meals, and we work with a variety of groups, including schools and churches to expand those food drives. Amazon Fresh, who was a sponsor last year, has agreed to provide turkeys as well as monetary support.”

Donations of canned goods and all the fixings that make a Thanksgiving meal are donated for the Basket Brigade. Boxes are then filled with everything needed for a full meal and delivered to families in need in Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula, Port Orchard, Joint Base Lewis McChord, and Naval Base Kitsap. The Basket Brigade will serve 800 families this year. Photo courtesy of Greater Gig Harbor Foundation

The baskets

Each basket is filled with items to make a complete Thanksgiving meal.

The organization and Gregory said the whole operation requires money and volunteers who are willing to help. 

Volunteers will gather on Nov. 21 to stage the goods, and the following day the meals for delivery. 

“In most instances we take the meals to the doorstep,” he said. “We are partnering with Key Peninsula Community Services and they are going to manage distribution of meals on the Key Peninsula from their location.”

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