The Elk City Christmas Basket, sponsored by the Elk City Ministerial Alliance has begun it’s Christmas Basket fund raising drive for the 2023 Christmas season. This program was begun in the mid 1930’s during the Great Depression by Paul Wade the late editor of the Elk City Daily News and continued by his son, the late LarryWade. Ithascontinuouslyprovidedfood items for approximately 85 years to people in need at Christmas time. This is possible thanks to the generosity of individuals in the Elk City area.
This past year we had a family in Elk City, who pledged to match up to $10,000 in gifts that were given by individuals through local churches for the Christmas Basket Fund. Thankfully we were able to match that pledge, replenish our depleted reserve and meet our goal to give holiday cheer to families. Over 650 individuals were provided food for Christmas thanks to your generosity This year we are anticipating additional families and individuals in need of Christmas Baskets. To meet this need it is anticipated that $8000 or more will be needed to provide the necessities for a good Christmas meal. We are once again asking for your help so that we can provide food for many families and individuals to have a merrier Christmas. Many churches will be taking a special offering on December 4th to help support this year’s Christmas Basket Ministry. Please check with your church’s leadership team to see if they are participating in this offering and if not encourage them to do so. To date we have received $1350 for this years Christmas Baskets.
We will also gladly accept donations from businesses and organizations that wish to support this worthwhile endeavor. Individuals, organizations and groups, may drop off a donation at the Elk City Chamber of Commerce in the old First National Bank building located downtown at the corner of Main and Broadway, or at the First National Bank on W. 3rd on the West side of town. They can also mail donations to Elk City Christmas Basket Fund c/o Elk City Church of God, Elk City, OK 73644.
Individuals may call in their own name or names of other individuals needing a Christmas Basket during the week of December 5-9. Call in times on December 5-8 will be from 9am – 3pm. Call in time for December 9th will be from 9am – Noon. No calls will be accepted before December 5th or after noon on December 9th. The number to call for baskets is 2250066. Thefoodisboughtlocallyandwillbe distributed from St. Matthews Catholic Church on December 17th beginning at 8:00 a.m. Individuals who want to pick up their basket may do so beginning at 9:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s. Packing and delivery is made by youth in our high school organizations, and local churches.
If you would like more information concerning the Christmas Basket Program please call 225-0227.
