Families must sign up soon for Care and Share dinners

Families that want to receive a Christmas dinner box from the Care and Share Christmas Drive need to sign up as soon as possible.

So far in the drive, “Families have been slow to sign up,” said Karen Davidson, treasurer of the Moore-McDonald VFW Post 8967 Ladies Auxiliary, which sponsors the drive with the VFW.

Eligible families that want to receive a box must sign up at the post home, 311 N. Alister St., any day from noon to 10 p.m. Organizers say even those who received box dinners last year or who are registered with the Helping Hands Food Pantry are required to register for a box. A name, complete street address, telephone number and proof of residency in Port Aransas is required.

Non-perishable foods and cash to buy perishables will be collected for distribution to families who might otherwise go without a Christmas dinner.

This weekend, Dec. 15-16, is the last weekend volunteers from the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and VFW will be at the Family Center IGA, 418 S. Alister St., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accept donations of nonperishable foods as well as cash.

Davidson said that this year, for the first time, the Port Aransas Volunteer Fire Department made a cash contribution to the drive.

“That’s really nice,” she said, expressing appreciation for all the cash contributions, large and small, made each year by individuals and businesses.

On weekdays through Friday, Dec. 21, donations of food may be placed in a designated box at the IGA. Also, the Port Aransas Realty offices at 111 E. Cotter Ave. and 104 Mustang Boulevard are dropoff points.

Cash contributions may be dropped off at the post home or mailed to Care and Share, c/o VFW Post 8967, P.O. Box 1447, Port Aransas, TX 78373.

Cash will be used to purchase perishable items, such as turkeys and hams.

Registered families may pick up the dinner boxes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at the Civic Center, 710 W. Ave. A.