GILLETTE, Wyo. — St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, which is putting together Thanksgiving baskets for needy families, still needs potatoes, rolls, butter and whipped topping.
As of 4:45 p.m. today, the church still could use cooked dinner rolls, either salted or unsalted dairy butter, 5-pound bags of potatoes and frozen whipped topping, the church’s Outreach Director Nancy Anderson said.
They’re hoping to still gather 200 bags of rolls, 300 pounds of butter and 100 5-pound bags of potatoes, she said. They could also use about 100 pre-baked, store-bought pies. Pies must be commercially made for food safety regulations, she said.
People who receive the baskets will be able to cook their own food for their Thanksgiving Day celebration with the items the church and the community provide through the baskets program. The church freezes the food to keep it fresh, she said.
The church will give out about 400 to 450 baskets from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 20 to families that pre-registered. Any leftovers – and people have called to request to be on the list – will be available for pickup at 11 a.m. Nov. 21. The pick-ups will be at the Parish Hall, which is on the western side of the church, which is at 900 Butler Spaeth Road.
The recipients’ names are collected from Salvation Army Gillette, Council of Community Services and Campbell County Senior Center, she said. The church also receives referrals from the Head Start Program and Campbell County School District’s counselors.Monetary donations for the program are accepted, but food donations are the most helpful, especially due to supply chain challenges. For example, the church ordered 300 bags from a local grocery store but the store could only provide 150 bags, Anderson said.
Food donations are due at noon Nov. 20, and can be brought before or after 5 p.m. Mass Nov. 19 or before or after the 9 a.m. Mass Nov. 20. To drop off a donation during the week, call the office at 307-682-3319.
