Cabot Christmas Alliance, a charity group that has been providing local children and their families with food for Christmas since the 1960s, is seeking volunteers and donations to help fulfill the group’s mission again this year. Members include several churches, schools, businesses and individuals.
It is not too late to get involved. Cabot Christmas Alliance accepts donations year-round. Individuals or groups can also sponsor families until Dec. 19.
Volunteers can help pack food boxes on Dec. 15 beginning at 8 a.m. at the old Larry’s Pizza location. The food will be distributed starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22. The group will also work at the old Larry’s Pizza in Cabot, First Baptist Church of Ward and the Austin City Complex.
To donate, send checks to Cabot Christmas Alliance, P.O. Box 821, Cabot, Ark. 72023.
Some people also choose to “adopt” a family and purchase gifts for the children. Those individuals may call Terena Woodruff at 501-843-3363 (ext. 1007) or contact any Cabot school counselor.
All children in the Cabot School District who are in need are eligible for help from the Cabot Christmas Alliance and an affiliated charity, Christmas for Kids, which provides toys to area children.
The Christmas Alliance expects to receive 800 applications for assistance this holiday season.
Last year, more than 730 families received food from the Cabot Christmas Alliance.
Community support has increased tremendously each year. Five years ago, a few churches, a bank and a few individuals provided gifts for about 70 to 80 families.
In the last five years, several churches, school clubs, civic groups and many individuals have sponsored more than 300 families. Superintendent Tony Thurman encourages school groups to sponsor food and toy drives as well.
Families without children in school are eligible, but they must live in the Cabot School District.
