FARMINGTON – The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce once again exceeded its goal of providing a holiday meal with many extras to 50 families this year – with a final count of 73 families in Franklin County being recipients of the chamber’s Holiday Food Basket Program.

“Once you know there is a need, you feel responsible to respond,” said Chamber Executive Director, Lorna Nichols. The chamber set up holiday food basket headquarters in the empty future home of the chamber’s new visitor’s center in the former Mt. View Chocolate Shop, where the food boxes were sorted and tagged by town – ready for delivery.

“The feeling you get when you see a grown man accept this gift at his door with tears in his eyes or the hugs and disbelief of ‘how did you know we needed this?’ from an older couple on a fixed income – you know – money doesn’t buy that – knowing our communities have pulled together to do the right thing by helping our neighbors in need,” she said.

“Many folks really stepped up this year – with donations being received from many individuals and businesses in the communities we serve, as well as from individuals out of state,” Nichols said.

The chamber seeks donations of food and monetary contributions each November and early December in preparation for the community service project – but monetary contributions can be made anytime to the Chamber – simply include a note designating those funds for the Holiday Food Basket Program.

Last year’s project was successful, but the chamber knew this year would be more difficult for many and set the goal for 2008 at 50 families.

“I thought I may be stretching it a bit to be able to help so many – but one should never underestimate the generosity when folks know of the need. I still cannot believe we were able to help 73 families,” Nichols said.

Food collection boxes were set up at Key Bank, Wilton; CSM Real Estate, Kingfield; Franklin-Somerset CU, Kingfield; Western Maine Chiropractic and Sports Injury, Farmington; and at the Chamber office, Farmington.

Monetary donations and delivery help were received from many.

Each family received a turkey, canned or fresh ham, stuffing, gravy, carrots, cranberry jelly, potatoes, canned vegetables, rice, peanut butter, jelly, rolls, pie, bread, marshmallow fluff, cereal, oranges, apples, tuna, soup, pasta, spaghetti sauce, brownie mix, sugar, flour, hot chocolate, candy canes and more.