Othello looking for donations for Christmas baskets

OTHELLO — About 45 years ago, four volunteer firefighters decided to make Christmas food and gift baskets and give them to seven families who needed some extra help. The next year, they gave baskets to more families. In the years since, the Othello Community Christmas Baskets has become a city-wide event with various groups raising money, food, warm clothes and toys for Othello families in need.

Over the past few years, the volunteers working on the Othello Community Christmas Baskets hope to deliver baskets to 350 families.

“We had around 380 last year,” said Ken Johnson, one of the co-chairs of the project.

Families who receive baskets are chosen through a referral process. Names are collected from schools, churches and government entities.

“They are people that are struggling,” Johnson said. “Normally, they’ll know of people that need help. That is the system that we have been using for several years. It works pretty well.”

Occasionally, volunteers will hear from an individual of someone in desperate need. The individual can not be someone who lives in the same house as the referred person.

With each referral, the ages and gender of any children in the house are given. Volunteers put an appropriate toy for each child in the basket. Books are also included.

“The Friends of the Library donate several hundred books every year,” Johnson said.

Also put into the baskets include hams, canned foods and other non-perishables.

“We supply hams to every family,” Johnson said. “Last year, one business supplied turkeys. Larger families capable of cooking were given a turkey also.”

In the past, kitchen utensils have been donated. Already this year, blankets have been donated.

“We are always in need of items,” Johnson said.

Volunteers also pass out hats, coats, gloves and other winter items as there is a need.

“During the year, we have some people who buy a whole bunch and bring them to us,” Johnson said. “All the schools work with us. They have canned food drives.”

Cash is another thing that people donate.

“We get a lot of cash donations,” Johnson said. “We spend almost $5,000 a year on hams. We go out and buy sugar, cake mix, and, if needed, additional toys. We always need cash donations.”

Anyone wishing to make donations can go to Columbia Bank and US Bank, both in Othello, and donate to the Othello Community Christmas Baskets fund. Cash donations can also be dropped off at Johnson’s Glass.

“We are a 501(c)(3), so it is tax deductible,” Johnson said.

The last day to donate food, toys, money and winter clothing is Friday, Dec. 20. Baskets will be packed the next day.

Johnson’s Glass and the fire department building in Othello are donation points. There will also be a donation house at the Othello City Hall for hats, gloves and coats.

To learn more, visit the Othello Community Christmas Baskets Facebook page.