Basket program replaces longtime charity
By Nick Hytreknhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Thursday, November 20, 2008
SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- One longtime Christmas charity tradition came to an abrupt end.
But a school administrator is taking steps to see that a new tradition of helping needy folks in the community during the holidays is established.
Tom Luxford, assistant South Sioux City High School principal, said he couldn't stand by after the recent announcement of the dissolution of Pete's Feeders, a charitable organization that had supplied food baskets at Christmas for more than 60 years.
"We feel as a community that we wanted to continue some type of Christmas baskets," Luxford said. "I see students every day that are in need of things."
So Luxford contacted South Sioux City's civic organizations, which have teamed up with the South Sioux City Community School District to establish the Cardinal Christmas Basket Program. The goal is to deliver 250 baskets to needy families on Dec. 20. Recipients' names will be gathered by word of mouth.
Keeping the charity alive serves two purposes, Luxford said. First, it provides a needed service to area families in need of help. Second, students involved in extracurricular activities will be called upon to work with business and community leaders to help collect donations, sort and package food items and deliver the baskets. It will be an excellent way for students to be involved in their community, Luxford said.
"We believe this is a great opportunity for our student athletes and activity people to help out deserving people in our area," Luxford said.
Food drives for canned and nonperishable food items will take place at all five elementary schools, plus the middle and high schools in December. The public is welcome to drop off food items. Financial contributions also are welcome. Luxford said he hoped that $10,000 to $12,000 in food and cash donations could be collected.
Food drives for the Cardinal Christmas Basket Program will take place at all South Sioux City school buildings. The five elementary schools will collect food from Dec. 1-16. The middle and high schools will collect food Dec. 8-16. The public is welcome to drop off food donations at any of the schools.
At the boys' basketball game Dec. 5 and the girls' basketball game on Dec. 8, anyone bringing at least one can of food will be given a raffle ticket for a chance to win a Southern Hills Mall gift certificate.
Monetary donations, which are tax-deductible, can be mailed to: South Sioux City Community Foundation, P.O. Box 987, South Sioux City, NE 68776. Checks should be written to the South Sioux City Community Foundation, but make sure to earmark the check to the Cardinal Christmas Basket Program.
For more information, call South Sioux City High School assistant principal Tom Luxford at 494-2433.]]>
But a school administrator is taking steps to see that a new tradition of helping needy folks in the community during the holidays is established.
Tom Luxford, assistant South Sioux City High School principal, said he couldn't stand by after the recent announcement of the dissolution of Pete's Feeders, a charitable organization that had supplied food baskets at Christmas for more than 60 years.
"We feel as a community that we wanted to continue some type of Christmas baskets," Luxford said. "I see students every day that are in need of things."
So Luxford contacted South Sioux City's civic organizations, which have teamed up with the South Sioux City Community School District to establish the Cardinal Christmas Basket Program. The goal is to deliver 250 baskets to needy families on Dec. 20. Recipients' names will be gathered by word of mouth.
Keeping the charity alive serves two purposes, Luxford said. First, it provides a needed service to area families in need of help. Second, students involved in extracurricular activities will be called upon to work with business and community leaders to help collect donations, sort and package food items and deliver the baskets. It will be an excellent way for students to be involved in their community, Luxford said.
"We believe this is a great opportunity for our student athletes and activity people to help out deserving people in our area," Luxford said.
Food drives for canned and nonperishable food items will take place at all five elementary schools, plus the middle and high schools in December. The public is welcome to drop off food items. Financial contributions also are welcome. Luxford said he hoped that $10,000 to $12,000 in food and cash donations could be collected.
At the boys' basketball game Dec. 5 and the girls' basketball game on Dec. 8, anyone bringing at least one can of food will be given a raffle ticket for a chance to win a Southern Hills Mall gift certificate.
Monetary donations, which are tax-deductible, can be mailed to: South Sioux City Community Foundation, P.O. Box 987, South Sioux City, NE 68776. Checks should be written to the South Sioux City Community Foundation, but make sure to earmark the check to the Cardinal Christmas Basket Program.
For more information, call South Sioux City High School assistant principal Tom Luxford at 494-2433.]]>
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Re NotSoHot wrote on Nov 20, 2008 11:12 PM:
cmj wrote on Nov 20, 2008 10:59 PM:
Amanda wrote on Nov 20, 2008 6:51 PM:
NotSoHot wrote on Nov 20, 2008 4:54 PM:
They ought to take the food and the money and give it to the Salvation Army or someone who can check these people out and make sure it goes to the right people, not just a bunch of friends of friends.
The money given to this will not be tax deductible and I who is going to watch how it is spent.
Everybody wants to do something - but why does everybody always want to start something new? "
ConcernedToo wrote on Nov 20, 2008 9:09 AM: