The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of small town living is that neighbors tend to care for one another. With the holidays just around the corner, several groups are gearing up to provide needy families with holiday meals. There are plenty of ways to get involved, whether you're in a position to give or in need of a gift. The Kid's Big Give Thanksgiving Baskets

The Kid's Big Give is busy gathering food donations to fill 25 Thanksgiving meal baskets for 110 area residents. The project began last year when Jamie Gleason and Angela Jones were looking for a way to involve their children in giving. The pair recruited community members and dozens of families assembled at the Waitsburg Elementary School and put together baskets for twenty families (feeding 89 individuals in 2013).

The group is performing a replay this year and will prepare 25 baskets. There is still time to get involved on the giving end of the project. The Big Give is in need of donations of rolls, stuffing, olives, green beans and potatoes. Donations may be delivered to the Waitsburg Elementary School by 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. At that time, families are invited to bring their children and join in the fun of preparing the baskets for delivery. Keep updated on upcoming giving opportunities by visiting The Kid's Big Give Facebook page. Waitsburg Ministerial Association Christmas Baskets

Cards to be either the donor or recipient of a Christmas dinner basket are now available from the Waitsburg Ministerial Association, which includes the Waitsburg Presbyterian, First Christian and Catholic churches. Cards are available at the Waitsburg Resource Center, the Waitsburg Hardware Store or from any of the three churches mentioned. The deadline to request or provide a dinner box is Nov. 30.

The program works by matching volunteers who are willing to provide a meal with a family in need. Donors may request the size of family they would like to sponsor. Once they are matched with a family, donors will receive detailed instructions including a list of basic items, suggested items and instructions for delivery. Donors may be individuals, multiple families or even organizations.

"This is a great opportunity to reach out to neighbors and other families and teach your children about giving. Take them to the store to buy the items and let them help deliver the baskets," said Reverend Bret Moser. "We are really just acting as facilitators - the human contact between neighbors is important, which is why we do it this way."

Project Timothy Christmas Baskets

Columbia County residents (including Starbuck) can request to receive one of the 85 Christmas dinner baskets sponsored by Project Timothy. Families may sign up to receive a basket at the Project Timothy office in the St. Vincent de Paul building on Dayton's Main Street.

Project Timothy puts together 85 baskets each year and purchases all the food items locally. Baskets include ham, potatoes, rolls, pie and canned goods. Each basket also includes some Dayton Bucks.

Members of Dayton's Students Helping Each Other (SHEO) club decorate boxes and help Project Timothy board members assemble them for delivery. This year's assembly will take place Dec. 13. The boxes will be available for pick-up (preferred) or delivery on that day.

Project Timothy Treasurers Ruth and Wayne Peterson say that cash donations are always welcome. "It's a lot of work but a really fun, worthwhile project. It's part of the mission of Project Timothy," said Ruth Peterson.