Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
As thoughts turn to the holidays, local non-profits continue their work to reduce the number of families in the community who will go hungry.
AIM plans to provide Thanksgiving food for more than 1,000 families Nov. 23 at the Anderson Civic Center and is asking the community to help supply holiday staples.
The distribution will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., The organization has held the communitywide event annually at the Civic Center since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, AIM served about 800-900 families at the event and another 100 over the next two days at its offices, said Sarah Ann Bannister, AIM’s director of volunteers and community engagement.
This year’s distribution will feature hams instead of turkeys. Bannister said AIM was able to obtain hams that were larger and less expensive than the turkeys it typically purchases. A survey of food pantry clients also found enthusiasm for the change.
“We were able to source hams that are bigger than the turkeys we would normally get, less expensive, so it’s more bang for their buck for our families,” she said.
AIM’s most pressing Thanksgiving needs are:
Cranberry sauce.
Boxed stuffing mix.
Bagged mashed potatoes.
Gravy packets.
The pantry has plenty of macaroni and cheese, green beans and corn for the distribution, but all donations are welcome since AIM feeds hungry families all year.
Businesses, schools, churches and community groups can help by organizing Thanksgiving food drives. Several schools are already collecting holiday items.
Donations can be delivered to AIM at 1206 S. Murray Ave. in Anderson, where donors can pull up to the loading dock and ring the doorbell for help unloading.
Financial donations, hours and location information are available at aimcharity.org.
While Thanksgiving brings a concentrated need for holiday foods, Bannister said the pantry needs donations throughout the year.
Regular needs include peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, rice, beans and canned vegetables.
Peanut butter and jelly can provide an easy meal for a family, while spaghetti sauce can help stretch ingredients across several meals.
For AIM, the pantry is also a way to introduce clients to other lasting assistance.
“We kind of think of the pantry as the open door,” Bannister said. “So if they’re having food insecurity, they’ll come get food from us. But then, how can we connect them with our other programs?”
Those connections can include education and employment support, financial stability classes and help with expenses that might otherwise prevent someone from completing school or job training.
Bannister said some families who have received assistance later return as volunteers.
“We love having our family come back and join us,” she said.
AIM is also preparing its Christmas program, which will include transforming its resource room into Santa’s Village.
Clients will have opportunities to earn “AIM bucks” through financial stability classes and spend them in the resource room, and AIM will also continue its holiday adoption program for families participating in its employment and education support programs.
Bannister said community outreach is important because families may not know those services exist. During recent trunk-or-treat events, AIM distributed program information to parents while their children collected candy.
“Kids got candy, parents got knowledge,” she said.
For those looking to help during the holidays, food drives offer a way to contribute individually or as a group. Those interested in volunteering can contact AIM through aimcharity.org for information about opportunities.
