Holiday food boxes with seasonal staples will be distributed this December.
EUGENE – On November 1s St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County (SVdP) is kicking off an annual holiday food drive to benefit local families and individuals in need. The nonprofit is asking St. Vinnies shoppers and community members for support in the form of monetary and in-kind donations. To contribute, please drop off holiday-themed non-perishables at any SVdP store or donate while you thrift shop with St. Vinnies.
SVdP is looking for canned cranberry sauce, green beans, pumpkin, broth, vegetables, stuffing and other non-perishable seasonal favorites, as well as reusable bags to use for food distribution. Donating is simple and accessible. SVdP cashiers are ready to accept monetary contributions while customers purchase their merchandise, and seasonal canned food is being collected in donation barrels at all of St. Vinnies many retail locations across Eugene and Springfield.
“We are excited to bring back the holiday boxes this year, especially with the high levels of food insecurity our neighbors are experiencing,” says Social Service Manager Leah Hess-Murray. “Your support will help us reach our goal of 2,000 food boxes for our neighbors in need this holiday season.”
History of the Food Drive
SVdP has been distributing food boxes during the holiday season since the 1950s in partnership with volunteers from faith communities. This year, SVdP reflects on the legacy of Betty Snowden, the longstanding organizer of past holiday food drives. Snowden led the distribution of thousands of food boxes to ensure families wouldn’t go hungry over the holidays.
Betty Snowden often dawned her famous Turkey Costume for distribution day of the holiday food boxes.
Next month, volunteers, faith communities and SVdP staff will gather to pack boxes full of all the essentials for a festive holiday dinner. After modifying delivery post-pandemic, SVdP is excited their annual holiday food box giveaway is back in full swing. Typically, other organizations provide food boxes around Thanksgiving, so SVdP distributes food in December when resources are scarce. Anyone can give the gift of a full belly and festive holiday season by donating at their local St. Vinnie’s retail store.