Project Self-Sufficiency seeks donations to feed families on Thanksgiving

Project Self-Sufficiency is asking for help feeding hundreds of low-income families who need a little extra help during the holiday season.

The agency is looking for area residents and organizations to donate traditional Thanksgiving food, or to donate funds toward the purchase of food, including pumpkin or apple pies; canned vegetables, such as yams and cranberry sauce; dinner rolls; gravy; stuffing; and mashed potato mixes.

Frozen turkeys will also be accepted, but donors are asked to alert the agency ahead of time.

The non-profit agency is gearing up to distribute complete Thanksgiving dinners to approximately 500 local families this year, so monetary donations are particularly needed.

“Requests for assistance are pouring in every day, and we expect to serve nearly 500 families this year,” said Deborah Berry-Toon, executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “However, our wonderfully generous community has consistently demonstrated compassion towards our participants during the holidays, and we are confident that this year will be no exception.”

Contributions, or notification of the intent to contribute, is needed by Friday, Nov. 12, to allow Project Self-Sufficiency ample time to package and distribute the goods to needy families. Frozen turkeys can be delivered on Monday, Nov. 22, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Turkeys cannot be accepted earlier or later because of the lack of refrigerated storage space.

Individuals and families who need help at Thanksgiving are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Thanksgiving donations will be accepted at Project Self-Sufficiency, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. To donate, or to find out more about the programs and services available, visit projectselfsufficiency.org.