The month of July more than likely brings to mind triple digit temperatures and summer fun in the sun. But, at Good Samaritan Ministries, Christmas is in the air this summer.
“This month is our annual Christmas in July fundraiser where we raise money for the Christmas boxes distributed in December,” said Leesa Stephens, Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries. “The money we raise this month will help to purchase items like the roasting hen, eggs, flour and sugar.”
Stephens said they will still host the Hunger Awareness Month Community Wide Food Drive in October for the shelf stable items like green beans, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, cornbread mix, stuffing mix and more. This monetary drive will help purchase the items not collected in that drive.
Every family who comes to the GSM food pantry during the month of December receives a special Christmas box in addition to their regular grocery staples. The box is filled with most of the ingredients needed to make a traditional Christmas dinner. Last year, GSM provided Christmas boxes to right at 1,000 families.
“Christmas in July is a great way to give our friends the opportunity to donate in the summer before anyone is even thinking about Christmas,” Stephens said. “We hope it makes giving easier when there are not quite so many organizations vying for attention. Plus, we think it’s always a good time to think about Christmas.”
All donations made for the Christmas in July drive will be put into a special account used only to buy food for the Christmas boxes.
“Our goal for this year is $12,500 during this month-long fund drive,” said Stephens. “It costs approximately $45 for one box of Christmas food so anything we can raise now will move us that much closer to the goal when it comes time to order food in October.”
To make a donation, mail a check to P.O. Box 1136, Brownwood, TX 76804 or make a payment online at goodsambwd.org. You may also bring a donation by 305 Clark Street during regular business hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or Monday and Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. Please call 643-2273 for more information.