Community asked to help with 15th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive
This year will be the 15th year that the Wal-Mart Branch of The First National Bank in Trinidad has sponsored an annual Thanksgiving Food Drive in Trinidad. Over the past 14 years, countless families have received a Thanksgiving surprise on the Sunday before Thanksgiving when volunteers deliver food baskets and gift certificates for groceries and dining out at local restaurants. “Tears of joy and appreciation flow when we deliver these food baskets,” says First National Bank in Trinidad, Wal-Mart Branch Manager and Vice President, Mrs. Roberta Noel. Mrs. Noel has organized the food drive for the Branch for the past 14 years. In 16 days, countless cans of food and cash donations are collected for area families in need. Families without cooking facilities are given gift certificates to go out for a family meal. Families receiving food baskets not only receive all the items needed for a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the trimmings, but also a “side-kick” box of food items to help with groceries after the holiday. “We shop all the sales, and in some cases, stores donate some of the food items; this way we are able to really stretch the dollars donated,” says Mrs. Noel.
“Over the years, many families were so overwhelmed that they could not find the words to express their gratitude,” says Mrs. Noel. “The generosity of the people, businesses and organizations in this community is unbelievable!” Several bank employees and some of their spouses volunteer to help deliver the food baskets, along with the Trinidad High School Honor Society and their sponsor, Louis Rino. Afterward the group is treated to lunch, provided by Mrs. Noel.
This year the Wal-Mart Branch is sponsoring the Thanksgiving food drive again. Please donate or volunteer to help. Food items needed include: Frozen turkey, stuffing, canned yams, canned vegetables, instant potatoes, Jello, pumpkin pie, bread, celery, marshmallows, cranberry sauce, gravy, fruit cocktail, dream whip, and fresh fruit. Other everyday staple items that are requested are pasta, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, sugar, flour, cooking oil, pinto beans, tomato paste, tomato sauce, peanut butter and rice. Cash donations are always welcome and much appreciated! As a community, let’s come together to do a good thing . . . by giving for Thanksgiving!
Photos courtesy Roberta Noel:
This group of volunteers gathered to sort and deliver Thanksgiving food baskets the Sunday before Thanksgiving in 2017. Back Row (left to right) – Giana Glorioso, Gabriela Peraza, Florencio Guzman-Diaz, Louis Rino, Janay Jolly, Cody Lucero, Brandon Robinson, D.J. Chongway, Mike Rodriguez, Brad Paine, Roberta Noel
Front Row (left to right) – Katlyn Blan, Sierra Romero, Destiny Maldonado, Brandi Bowman, Jamie Vallejos, Carlee Garrison, Mariah Casias, Jacquelyn Hernandez, Frida Ochoa, Aesha Patel, Reina Bueno, Rebekah Cole.
A stockpile of food, including frozen turkeys, were assembled and delivered to each family.
The First National Bank in Trinidad, Wal-Mart Branch manager and food drive organizer, Roberta Noel, displays a typical supply of food delivered to each family.