Volunteers are needed to wrap up the final stages of the Keizer Network of Women (KNOW) Giving Basket program Dec. 11, 12 and 14.
Sorting and boxing of food is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. A big gift wrapping party takes place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, with the goal being to have the process completed that evening. Participants in the wrapping party should bring along scissors, tape and gift wrap. Delivery will begin on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 9 a.m.
Sorting and wrapping will take place at “Santa Central,” the former location of Blockbuster Video, 5402 River Road N.
In addition to gifts, boxes of fresh food are also put together for the families.
While the gifts and food boxes are handed out in December, the process starts each June, when school counselors in Keizer are notified and asked to start thinking of students who could use some gifts during the holidays.
Requests are hung on giving trees throughout the community. This year, a number of businesses and families stepped up to the plate to help provide food for the families. NW Dental Arts is supplying onions; Bob Shackelford of Homesmart Realty is paying for potatoes; Rob and Rhonda Brattain and the Brattain family are supplying peanut butter and jelly, beans and rice; Scenic Valley Farms is donating 1,500 pears; and Lorens Sanitation and Valley Recycling & Disposal joined forces to purchase hams. Each group is providing enough of their foods to feed 250 families.