Economic Opportunity Council’s Thanksgiving Basket Project begins
BALLSTONSPA, N.Y. » Local nonprofit Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council’s annual Thanksgiving Basket Project is underway, with plans to help thousands of residents celebrate the upcoming holiday.
Nearly 650 families, over 3,100 people, have already signed up for a Thanksgiving basket from Saratoga County EOC ahead of the Nov. 10 registration deadline.
“The need for our yearround food programs like The Pantry has increased four-fold since the
pandemic started,” EOC executive director Jo Anne Hume said in a press release. “For Thanksgiving, we’ve traditionally provided 800 baskets to our neighbors in need throughout Saratoga County and we expect that number to rise this year. We’re fortunate that the community is continuing to rally behind this project.”
EOC’s Thanksgiving basket includes staples like corn, gravy and stuffing as well as produce like
apples and carrots. Each family also receives a gift card to buy a turkey or protein of their choice.
This year, EOC will have four pick-up sites across Saratoga County thanks to community
Partners. Locations include Ballston Spa, hosted by Ballston Spa National Bank; Clifton Park, hosted by Harvest Church; Corinth, hosted by The Salvation Army and Corinth Central School District; and Saratoga Springs, hosted by the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church.
“We are so excited that more people are joining this team of neighbors helping neighbors,”
Hume continued. “It’s a bright light during such a difficult time as we’ve continued to help our EOC customers who have been among the hardest hit during the pandemic.”
Those whowould like to register for a basket or make a donation can visit saratogaeoc. org/thanksgiving.
In addition to the yearly Thanksgiving Basket Project, EOC provides hundreds of thousands of meals through its food pantry and soup kitchen aswell as providing health, education, family, immigrant and advocacy services.