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ENLARGE
Shannon Ernst
Most groups organizing Thanksgiving meals and baskets this season are anticipating an increase in need along with a lack of donations, yet many groups have had unexpected results.
Social Services Director Shannon Ernst said it's going to be difficult this year because of increased costs.
“This year our turkey costs have gone up. The costs have gone up for all food,” Ernst said.
Nevertheless, people know the economy will create more need, so many like Ernst are preparing to serve more. Ernst said they could allow only 200 families to sign up for baskets but hopes extra donations can serve more.
“We are going to try, and if we get extra donations — and hopefully we do — we'll try to do as much as possible,” Ernst said.
Cathy Strasdin, Christian Life Center secretary, said the church is not only having a Thanksgiving meals, but also trying to top last year's number of serving 600 people.
“We are looking forward to reaching out beyond our walls,” Strasdin said. “Each year it's been a little bit more.”
Judy Thompson, owner of Green Valley Realty, is also increasing her Thanksgiving baskets from 30 to 40.
“By the time I decided to do the baskets again, I already had 10 names,” Thompson said. “I had to increase it because there's obviously more needy people out there.”
Ernst said there was concern Social Services wouldn't receive enough donations because of the economy.
However, she has been amazed with the efforts of local supporters including Churchill County Junior High School, West End Elementary, Classic Skate Shop, US Bank, 24 Hour Fitness, the Kiwanis Club of Fallon and others.
“People are really going above and beyond this year because they know we are going to have a hard time getting donations,” Ernst said. “It seems like we are just starting to see a response but more people are trying to help out.”
Jayme Fowkes, another individual doing baskets, has also experienced an amazing amount of donations. Fowkes is putting together Thanksgiving baskets for the first time after seeing people lose their jobs. She only expected to receive enough donations for five, but Fowkes has received enough to make more than 30 baskets and is still doing fund drives.
“I took the initiative to get the ball rolling, and everybody has been willing and helpful to jump on board,” Fowkes said.
Not all have experienced such an outpouring.
“It's down a little,” Thompson said. “I need more stuff. There's things we still need. I need 45 pound bags of potatoes.”
While some are preparing to do more, Jerry Bourbeau, post commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, doesn't know what to expect. He said last year the economy was bad, but the VFW served only 80 people at their sit-down dinner in comparison to 180 the previous year.
Coordinators conducting Thanksgiving meals and baskets said they are hoping to serve more people this year, are thankful for the community's aid but hope for more outreach so they can provide as many meals as possible.
Social Services Director Shannon Ernst said it's going to be difficult this year because of increased costs.
“This year our turkey costs have gone up. The costs have gone up for all food,” Ernst said.
Nevertheless, people know the economy will create more need, so many like Ernst are preparing to serve more. Ernst said they could allow only 200 families to sign up for baskets but hopes extra donations can serve more.
“We are going to try, and if we get extra donations — and hopefully we do — we'll try to do as much as possible,” Ernst said.
Cathy Strasdin, Christian Life Center secretary, said the church is not only having a Thanksgiving meals, but also trying to top last year's number of serving 600 people.
“We are looking forward to reaching out beyond our walls,” Strasdin said. “Each year it's been a little bit more.”
Judy Thompson, owner of Green Valley Realty, is also increasing her Thanksgiving baskets from 30 to 40.
“By the time I decided to do the baskets again, I already had 10 names,” Thompson said. “I had to increase it because there's obviously more needy people out there.”
Ernst said there was concern Social Services wouldn't receive enough donations because of the economy.
However, she has been amazed with the efforts of local supporters including Churchill County Junior High School, West End Elementary, Classic Skate Shop, US Bank, 24 Hour Fitness, the Kiwanis Club of Fallon and others.
“People are really going above and beyond this year because they know we are going to have a hard time getting donations,” Ernst said. “It seems like we are just starting to see a response but more people are trying to help out.”
Jayme Fowkes, another individual doing baskets, has also experienced an amazing amount of donations. Fowkes is putting together Thanksgiving baskets for the first time after seeing people lose their jobs. She only expected to receive enough donations for five, but Fowkes has received enough to make more than 30 baskets and is still doing fund drives.
“I took the initiative to get the ball rolling, and everybody has been willing and helpful to jump on board,” Fowkes said.
Not all have experienced such an outpouring.
“It's down a little,” Thompson said. “I need more stuff. There's things we still need. I need 45 pound bags of potatoes.”
While some are preparing to do more, Jerry Bourbeau, post commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, doesn't know what to expect. He said last year the economy was bad, but the VFW served only 80 people at their sit-down dinner in comparison to 180 the previous year.
Coordinators conducting Thanksgiving meals and baskets said they are hoping to serve more people this year, are thankful for the community's aid but hope for more outreach so they can provide as many meals as possible.
Organizations
• Social Services — Baskets, sign up at Social Services 485 W. B St., Ste. 105, 423-6695, and bring all family member IDs. Baskets will be passed out on Nov. 23 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Churchill County Food Pantry 155 N. Taylor St.• Christian Life Center — Sit-down meal, Nov. 22, 12-3 p.m. at the Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way. For information, call 423-6900.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars — Sit-down meal, Nov. 26, 2-4 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 405 S. Maine St., 423-4606.
• American Legion — Sit-down meal, Nov. 26, 11 a.m., at the American Legion Hall, 90 N. Ada St. Also Meals on Wheels program. For information, call 423-3008.
• The Overland Hotel — Sit-down dinner, Nov. 26, 2 p.m. at the Overland Hotel, 125 E. Center St., 423-2719.
• Century 21 — Baskets, sign up at 423-8111.
• Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe — Sit-down meal, Nov. 21, at 1 p.m. at 8955 Mission Road. The FPST provides the meat, guests can bring other items.
• Jayme Fowkes — Baskets, sign up by calling Fowkes at 217-7684. Baskets will be distributed on Nov. 21. Donate at Eclipse, Berney Realty, Right Away-Rent to Own and the Flower Tree.
• Daily Bread — Sit-down dinner Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church, 280 E. Stillwater Ave., 423-4714.
