Mission Carthage is preparing its annual Thanksgiving food distribution, which has run for nearly two decades. The distribution is set for Saturday, Nov. 21, starting at 9 a.m. and continuing until all boxes are gone. It will be held at the ball field on Ballpark Drive.
About 600 food boxes will go to area families on a first-come, first-served basis. Executive director Jennifer Randall said the distribution has been held since about 2007. She said the organization has not seen a significant increase in requests this year, but the need for help remains steady. Mission Carthage serves an average of 600 to 700 families each month, Randall said.
Randall said the group is helping more families with utilities and is sometimes adding extra items to food packages. Donations across the board have begun to decline. Mission Carthage is collecting items now, with peanut butter and jelly among its ongoing needs. Other requested items include canned goods, soups, cereal, snacks and easy-to-prepare foods. The group also accepts frozen and refrigerated meat donations and has freezers and refrigerators available.