Holiday Baskets

About The Holiday Basket Program
About the Holiday Basket Program
In the 1970s, several community-minded Colchester residents gathered and then distributed food items to some less fortunate Colchester families during the holiday season.   Their efforts were so well received that the program still continues today.  
During the years, the program has grown from a handful of people working from their homes to needing more people and more space, such as church meeting rooms.   The program's growth strained the available resources. Around 2000, the Colchester Milton Rotary was approached to take over basket delivery. The success of this led to our club taking over the overall organization of the Holiday Baskets.  To this day, the program continues as a full community effort; we just make sure all the various pieces fit together and the food gets to the deserving residents.
Community Involvement:
For many years, our base of operations has been Dick Mazza’s garage, which we take over for 3 weeks. The support of Dick and his staff has been key to the program’s success.
Burnham Library staff provides books for children of all ages.
Our Lady of Grace Church provides cake mixes and icing.
Holy Cross Church provides Gift Certificates for area stores.
St. Andrews Church provides hundreds of boxes of cereal.
All Colchester Fire Departments and St. Michael's Fire Dept. assist with basket delivery.
Donations of money are from residents and businesses.
Rotarians and Colchester residents are packing and delivering the baskets.
Recipient selection process:
The Colchester School system administers a free or reduced-fee lunch program to qualifying students based on Federal Criteria. We provide a request form for the Holiday Baskets to the school for mailing to these recipients, maintaining confidentiality.  Over the years, as the population increased, the number of families and seniors needing food assistance has also grown, and while it varies year to year, currently it is in the range of 140 families representing over 600 children and adults.
 
Seniors are contacted through the Colchester Food Shelf and Meals on Wheels.
 
Want to help?
 
 
Donations are tax-deductible and are as easy as clicking here or mailing a check to the Colchester-Milton Rotary Club, P.O. Box 82, Colchester, VT 05446- Please note Holiday Baskets in the memo.
Provide in-kind products or services.
Check our website for dates for basket packing and delivery, and join us at Dick Mazza’s garage.
Questions?

Email Fran Bailey (917) 742-1151