FARMINGTON — The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has collected enough donations to fill 120 boxes for the annual Gerry Wiles Holiday Food Baskets.
The boxes contain a complete holiday meal. They were given out to nine food closets in Franklin County and individuals who had requested a basket, Marc Relford, interim executive director of the chamber, said.
The baskets include either a ham or turkey with stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, canned peas, rolls and fixings for either a pumpkin or apple pie with whipped cream, he said.
Sixty boxes were moved from the new chamber office now in Walmart. A new sign is above the chamber door on the front of the Walmart store.
The other half were prepared at Save-A-Lot across the street, Relford said.
Mostly monetary donations were given with some funds raised by the chamber’s Texas Hold’em event held last year, Michael Blanchet, chamber vice president, said.
Individuals and businesses provided donations along with members of New Life Community Church who were especially helpful, Relford said.
Those who gave included Jan Bell, John Bell, Jason and Charlee Briggs, Ann Crafts, Charles Crafts, Farmington Emblem Club, Farmington Firemen’s Benevolent Association, Al Feather, Bryan and Francine Fletcher, Franklin Somerset Federal Credit Union, KeyBank, Norman Leavitt, Sawyer and Cooper Nelson, New Life Community Church, Marlene Newhall, Otis Federal Credit Union, Save-A-Lot, Wiles Remembrance Centers, Western Mountain Financial Services.
The local food banks were expected to pick up the baskets Thursday for people who had already signed up for one at the food closet.
“It’s a great day of giving,” Greg Patterson, Walmart manager, said. An anonymous donor had just paid $1,800 on lay-away items of unknown customers at the Augusta Walmart, he said.
The chamber is settling into its new office. Racks of business brochures in the entrances to Walmart have raised several favorable comments from customers, Janice Atwood, a Walmart supervisor, said.
People like finding the information about local businesses all in one place and easily accessible, she said.
Chamber Bucks make a great holiday gift with all proceeds spent in local businesses, chamber President Scott Landry said.
The Chamber Bucks may be purchased at the chamber office, he said.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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- Franklin County Chamber of Commerce members load boxes of holiday meals Thursday in Farmington. Fom left are interim Executive Director Marc Relford, Vice President Michael Blanchet and President Scott Landry.
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- Franklin County Chamber of Commerce members load boxes of holiday meals Thursday in Farmington. From left are interim Executive Director Marc Relford, Vice President Michael Blanchet and President Scott Landry.
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