LINK, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, is seeking donations of non-perishable food items and $10-$25 grocery store gift certificates for Thanksgiving and food baskets provided to needy families in the Herndon, Sterling and Ashburn areas. An estimated 350 families (1,500 people) are projected to receive Thanksgiving Baskets this year and another 1,500 people at Christmas.
LINK will celebrate its annual Thanksgiving Holiday Basket program on Saturday, Nov. 22. The events will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Christ the Redeemer Catholic (groceries) and Sterling United Methodist (winter coats) Churches in Sterling.
Volunteers can register and families can qualify for groceries and food certificates by calling the LINK hotline at 703-437-1776. A LINK representative will take calls to register volunteers or to qualify callers for food baskets. Families select their own groceries (mini-supermarket inside the church) based on family size and also receive a food certificate to buy a turkey and other perishables.
Volunteers are needed to assist each family in selecting their 5-day allotment of food items and ensuring that they receive a grocery certificate and a winter coat voucher. Volunteers are also needed to restock shelves and load food into family vehicles. LINK especially needs people who can give an hour or two to volunteer as foreign language interpreters.
Donations of non-perishable food can be dropped off at Christ The Redeemer Church from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 17 -21. Christ the Redeemer is located at 46833 Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7).
Volunteers are also needed (to set up for the event at Christ The Redeemer) days and evenings:
Monday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m.-noon and 7-9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-noon and 7-9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-noon and 7-9:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 20 Closed
Friday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. until complete (about 3 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 22, 8:45 a.m. until complete (about 5 p.m.)
Check donations may be made payable to LINK and sent to P.O. Box 443, Sterling, VA 20167. Donations are tax-deductible. Food certificates from area grocery stores are also welcome. LINK's United Way Campaign Identification Number is 8442.
Suggested food donations: Tuna, Hamburger Helper, spaghetti, canned vegetables, boxed cake mixes, canned fruit, pasta, canned or powdered milk, rice, cereal, apple sauce, canned juices, canned meats, canned hams, jelly, canned potatoes, spaghetti sauce, boxes of macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and boxed potatoes.
Directions to locations:
Christ the Redeemer: From Route 7 and Sterling Blvd., go east on Route 7. After one mile, the church will be on the right.
Sterling United Methodist: From Route 7, go south on Sterling Blvd. Turn east (left) onto Church Road. Sterling UMC is one mile ahead on the left.