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King George churches, businesses and citizens work together to provide Thanksgiving baskets for those who can't afford them Date published: 11/25/2009
By CATHY DYSON In a year when many people are tightening their belts because of the economy, King George County residents are reaching out to help more of their neighbors. Yesterday marked the county's annual giveaway of Thanksgiving food baskets--and the largest distribution in the program's 20-year history. Organized by the King George Department of Social Services, volunteers handed out boxes and laundry baskets filled with turkeys and trimmings to 371 families. "It's been overwhelming," said Tracy Curtis, a social worker aide who directs the program. "Even people who said, 'I can't do a basket this year' asked, 'Can I donate money?'" Before her department had mailed letters in September, asking businesses and government contractors, citizens and church members to sponsor families, people were calling to offer help. To each donor, she assigned a certain number of families, whose sizes ranged from one person to 14. Some Dahlgren contractors adopted as many as 30 families, and churches throughout the rural county did the same. "It's harder to be blind to the need when you're in a smaller community," said Dave Bentz of Grace Presbyterian Church. "You tend to know the people and the situation." Starting at 7:30 yesterday morning, cars pulled up to the back door of the King George Masonic Lodge on U.S. 301. Volunteer sponsors from businesses and churches unloaded their boxes, which were marked by case numbers ranging from one to 371. The baskets then were arranged in numerical rows. Most of those doing the sorting were social services workers and their spouses, friends and children. But others helped out as well. Clarence "Bunny" Jackson, a member of the lodge, opened the doors and stayed around to direct traffic. At 83, he figured he was the oldest one there. Nick Pappas, the social services department's attorney, wore a suit and tie as he wheeled around boxes of food. He was volunteering, not charging by the hour. Beside them was 9-year-old Alex Poley, an energetic youngster who liked helping out--and getting an early start to his Thanksgiving break. While others shivered in the damp November air, Alex was like his mother, Karla, an eligibility worker. Both walked around the unheated cinder-block building in short-sleeve shirts.
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