Holiday Assistance: A Program Focused on Collecting Food Donations and Distributing Meal Baskets and Toys To Children During The Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays

Most of us look forward to the holiday season – a time of gift-giving, delicious family meals and warm memories. However, for some less fortunate residents of our community, the holidays are a stressful time, with money concerns often looming over the brightness of the season.

Here at Franklin Community Center, we believe everyone has the right to celebrate. That’s why we provide holiday assistance to those in need, offering a glimmer of hope through difficult economic times.

In addition to our food pantry, which is open year-round, we also provide holiday food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas to hundreds of less fortunate people within our community. With the help of local churches, civic groups and businesses, local residents are able to enjoy a delicious holiday meal that otherwise may not have been possible.

We also provide Christmas gifts to our Project Lift families in need of some holiday help, our Manor residents, and dozens of other local families that have come to trust Franklin Community Center over the years. We take gift requests from the children and their parents, and we then match them up with generous donors from the area. It’s this collaboration between our staff and the caring residents of Saratoga that represents the true meaning of the holidays. Donations can be made during regular office hours, Monday – Friday, 9am-4pm (excluding all major holidays).

Want to help us make a difference? Here are some ideas!

• Host a Thanksgiving themed food drive. Popular items include boxed mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie filling, green beans, cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, pie crust or a gift card to a local grocery store to purchase a turkey. All donations of Thanksgiving basket non-perishable items should be dropped off at Franklin Community Center no later than November 16, 2012 so we are able to assemble and distribute baskets.
• ‘Adopt’ a Family – email info@franklincommunitycenter.org or call 587-9826 to ‘adopt’ a family for the holidays. Each donor will be provided with a wish list from local children, including specific sizes and gift ideas. Donations for our holiday assistance program should be dropped off no later than December 13, 2012. Due to concerns regarding food allergies, all gifts must be unwrapped.
• Host a toy drive. Looking to help during the holidays but your not sure you want to participate in our ‘adopt’ a family program? This is the perfect option. For those families and children who were not ‘adpoted’, FCC prepares gifts from donations of new toys and clothing or gift cards from generous donors. Donations for our holiday assistance program should be dropped off no later than December 13, 2012. Due to concerns regarding food allergies, all gifts must be unwrapped.

Holiday Assistance Client Guidelines

Applications for holiday assistance are now available at Franklin Community Center (10 Franklin Street, Saratoga Springs). Applications may be picked up Monday – Friday, 9am-3pm. Please note, Franklin Community Center observes all major holidays; please call ahead if you are unsure of the hours of operation.

Applications must be returned, completed, to Franklin Community Center on one of the following dates. The program is NOT first come, first serve. Please plan to register your application on a date that best fits your schedule.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. 
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please note, applications for holiday assistance that are not registered with Franklin Community Center during the times listed above will not be accepted. Holiday assistance at Franklin Community Center is only available to residents of Saratoga County; please be prepared to provide photo ID when registering your application.

If you have any questions, please call 518-587-9826 or email info@franklincommunitycenter.org.