Sunday is last day to donate food to VFW Care and Share

Sharing because they care STAFF PHOTO BY PHIL REYNOLDS Members of VFW Post 8976 stand ready to receive donations of nonperishable food at the Family Center IGA on Saturday, Dec. 8. The VFW's annual food drive helps families celebrate ths holiday season by providing Christmas meals. The drive runs through Saturday, Dec. 16. Standing from left are Johnny Martin Mathews, Jim Brannan, Roger Kottke, Ken Yeakel, Ron Messerich and Sam Lawson. Janet Brannan is seated.

Sunday, Dec. 16, is the last day to donate so that less fortunate families in Port Aransas will have a Christmas dinner.

VFW Post 8976 volunteers hope to add to current Care and Share donations by manning a table at the Family Center IGA, 418 S. Alister St., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 15 and 16.

Contributions may be put in a box at the Family Center or dropped off at the post home, 311 N. Alister St. Cash contributions may be mailed to Care and Share, c/o VFW Post 8967, P.O. Box 1447, Port Aransas, TX 78373, or dropped off at the post home by the deadline.

Nonperishable food donations to complement a Christmas dinner will be accepted. Hams and turkeys and other perishables will be purchased with cash donations. The collection of nonperishable foods and cash used to purchase perishables will assure the yuletide meals for the families.

Drive co-chairs Jim Brannan and his wife, Janet, reported the drive is ahead of last year.

The meal drive served 114 families last year and expect to serve 125 this year, Brannan said.

Eligible families that would like to receive a box of goods to make a Christmas dinner may sign up at the post home by Monday, Dec. 17. They must provide a name, complete street address, telephone number and proof of residency in Port Aransas. In the past families could also sign up at city hall. However, Jim Brannan said the VFW is trying to computerize the list, so families are being directed to the post home to register.

VFW members and volunteer helpers will set up tables and boxes in the Civic Center on Wednesday, Dec. 19. On Thursday, Dec. 20, beginning at 9 a.m., volunteers will fill boxes with food and deliveries will be made.

Families receiving the boxes should be sure someone is at home to receive the food, Brannan said.