Registration opens Oct. 27 for Thanksgiving Baskets in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN – Registration begins Oct. 27 for Middletown families to apply for a basket of Thanksgiving food from the Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project.

The Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project was established four years ago to ensure that all Middletown families who couldn’t afford to purchase a Thanksgiving meal could still enjoy a feast on Thanksgiving. The Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project will assemble baskets of food for more than 800 families this Thanksgiving.

Registration for Thanksgiving baskets will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. at Amazing Grace Food Pantry, 16 Stack Street, starting Oct. 27 through Nov. 21.

Those who wish to register must provide proof of Middletown residence and identification for each family member. Acceptable proofs of residence are utility bill, driver’s license or state identification, lease agreement or rental receipts. Acceptable forms of identification are driver’s license, birth certificate, medial card, or DSS or housing listing. No social security cards will be accepted.

Baskets will be available for pick up Tuesday, Nov. 25 between noon and 3 p.m. Families of two or more will pick up baskets at Fellowship Church, 1002 Saybrook Road. Individuals will pick up baskets at Amazing Grace Food Pantry.

This project is supported by many generous local businesses, nonprofit organizations, faith communities, civic groups, and individuals. It is funded in large part by the Middletown Rotary Club.

The planning committee for the Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project includes representatives from the City of Middletown, Cross Street AME Zion Church, Fellowship Church, Heritage Commons, Liberty Bank, Liberty Bank Foundation, Middlesex County Community Foundation, Middlesex Hospital Volunteer Services, Middlesex United Way, Middletown Kiwanis Club, Middletown Police Department, Middletown Public Schools, Middletown Rotary Club, St. Luke’s Community Services, St. Vincent De Paul Middletown/Amazing Grace Food Pantry, The Salvation Army, Wadsworth Glen Health Care Center, and Wesleyan University.

Monetary donations are being accepted to purchase necessary food and non-food items essential to this effort. If you wish to contribute, checks can be made out to “Rotary-MCTP” and sent to MCTP, c/o Fellowship Church, 1002 Saybrook Rd., Middletown, CT 06457. For more information about volunteering or contributing a donation, please contact Lara SantaMaria at Fellowship Church at 860-346-1181 or MCTP2013@yahoo.com.