2 hours, 300 care packages - Priceless
‘Wash your hands, Fill your trunk’ hosted by United Way
A community coming together can do great things. The power of a unified community was evident this past weekend for anyone who drove past Blankenship Field Saturday morning. The United Way of Big Spring and Howard County board members and other volunteers distributed 300 care packages, in an effort to offer some relief during this trying time.
“Everyone involved – recipients, volunteers, donors – were so kind and gracious,” United Way of Big Spring and Howard County Executive Director Christian Fair said. “It might seem like a humbling event, but we wanted to make people feel welcomed and tried to keep it as light hearted and fun as possible. We even had some chocolate to give away, that was sure to bring a smile.”
The care packages that were provided on Saturday morning were the result of a recent fundraiser specifically designed to raise funds for the pandemic relief. At the onset of COVID-19 the local United Way put together an Emergency Relief Committee to watch and gauge the community impact to see where assistance could be provided. A Tshirt fundraiser was conducted and through those efforts and private donations a total of $19,000 was able to be utilized for the care packages. Through the support of H-E-B, there were 300 care packages put
together for distribution. The care packages included: two rolls of toilet paper, beans, rice, potatoes, cooking oil, cereal, granola bars, crackers, peanut butter, three cans of tuna, canned peaches, peas and green beans, pasta, spaghetti sauce, cookies, a loaf of bread, a gallon of tea and a package of juice boxes. In addition to the food and househould supplies, a $20 gift card to H-E-B was also provided along with coupons from Dickey’s BBQ, Whataburger and Taco Bell.
“We (United Way) knew we wanted to do something to lighten the burden of the citizens of our community. A trunk full of groceries and a tank of
gas seemed like a good place to start,” Fair said. “We have an Emergency Relief Committee in place and they will continue to watch and gauge the needs of our community as our town and economy begin to open back up.”
Fair continued, “We also want to offer some relief to our partner agencies whom have been hit hard throughout this pandemic and shut down by helping people with rent, food, gas and utilities or even struggling to pay the bills for their own agencies.”
To find out more ways to support the United Way of Big Spring and Howard County visit the Facebook Page or call the office at 432-267-5201.
See photos from the event on the Life Cover, Page 1B.