By Derek Spellman
dspellman@joplinglobe.com
NEOSHO, Mo. — This year’s Newton County Food Basket Brigade campaign is under way.
The effort officially kicked off earlier this week, and so far the group has collected about $12,000 in donations that will in turn be used to purchase food for distribution to certain needy residents. Larry Johnson, the brigade’s vice president and co-organizer of this year’s effort, said donations — whether monetary or in the form of food — have “fallen in place” the past three years and that organizers expect the same outcome this year.
“Honestly, I know the need is going to be higher,” he said of this year’s program. “I’m confident that (everything) is going to fall in place.”
This year’s brigade has set a goal of 110,000 pounds of food to be distributed to up to 1,200 families. Each recipient would receive enough food for a traditional Christmas dinner, along with up to two weeks worth of staple foods.
To be eligible, residents must be certified as low-income, disadvantaged, disabled and/or elderly in need of assistance.
Last year, the campaign collected $35,000 in donations and enough food to feed 1,106 families representing 3,800 people, according to the brigade.
In addition to monetary donations, people can also donate food by dropping it off at the former National Guard Armory in Neosho. The building is at the corner of Brook and Jefferson.
Volunteers will fan out across Neosho and the county for door-to-door canvassing on Dec. 12, Johnson said.
“It’s usually pretty good,” Johnson said of the door-to-door collections. “The schools really help out.”
The last day to submit donations is Dec. 17, while families who have signed up can receive their food baskets Dec. 19.
Those wishing to sign up to receive a food basket should do so at the Neosho Help Center, 214 E. Main St. People may register from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. A special sign-up session is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 5.
Anyone wanting to apply for a food basket must furnish proof of residency in Newton County and the number of people living in the home.
People can drop off donated food or money at the armory building in Neosho. They also can send checks to Newton County Food Basket Brigade, P.O. Box 925, Neosho, MO 64850.
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