Thanks for Giving

This year Thanksgiving means more to me. My husband and I both have good jobs, our children and parents are healthy, the cars start every morning (knock on wood), and we have a roof over our heads. But many of our fellow Rhode Islanders are not so lucky.

Across the state many of my friends are out of work. Every day the local newspaper is filled with foreclosure notices. And this year families everywhere will struggle to put Thanksgiving dinner on the table. The amount of need in this state is almost paralyzing.

The Newport Office of Lila Delman Real Estate has again decided that this year we will make sure one less family will go without a Thanksgiving dinner. We are adopting a family through our local Child & Family Services and will supply them with a basket full of non-perishable goods for their holiday dinner. Our office is large so we are adopting a family of 8-10 people, but there are families of all sizes in need.

If you’d like to help, here are a few agencies on Aquidneck Island participating in the Thanksgiving basket program:

Child and Family is seeking donors for both of their Holiday Giving Programs. If you would like to donate food baskets for Thanksgiving to families in need and/or toys and gifts for children during the winter holiday season, then they would love to hear from you. Please call or e-mail Landa Patterson, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, at lpatterson@childandfamilyri.com or 401-848-4210 to learn more and sign up.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Holiday Basket Program, 401-846-4828.

If you’re unable to adopt a family and just want to drop off some food, contact your local shelters and food banks. The RI Community Food Bank is a great place to start. www.rifoodbank.org

Thanks for Giving!