Thanksgiving Bags Date:          Saturday, November 22, 2008 Location:    Volunteers of America of Minnesota's Park ElderCenter                   1505 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404   Time:         Assembly of Thanksgiving Bags begins at 8:45 a.m.                  Delivery of the bags begins at 9:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Bags is Volunteers of America-Minnesota's annual drive to provide Thanksgiving meals to needy families and individuals who are current participants of Volunteers of America -Minnesota programs.  Please Note: If you are not a current Volunteers of America participant and need holiday assistance, please contact the United Way at (651) 291-0211 for a list of other agencies that may be able to help you meet your needs.  Registration is now closed, but you can still help by purchasing an "Angel Pack" at Whole Foods Market Lake Calhoun or Whole Foods Market St. Paul by November 20 -- or by making a food or financial donation (see #2 and #4 below for details).  If you have questions or need more information, contact Kristin Cook at 952-945-4039 or kcook@voamn.org.

What is Thanksgiving Bags? Thanksgiving Bags is Volunteers of America-Minnesota’s annual event to provide Thanksgiving meals to low-income families and individuals in Minnesota.  Last year, over 900 grocery bags full of Thanksgiving food were assembled and delivered to the doorsteps of 1,800 people in need. When is Thanksgiving Bags? We will be collecting food donations and gift cards now until Friday, November 7th.  Thanksgiving Bags assembly and delivery is on Saturday, November 22nd. Where is Thanksgiving Bags? The Thanksgiving Bags event on November 22nd will take place at Volunteers of America-Minnesota’s Park ElderCenter located at 1505 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404. Who benefits from Thanksgiving Bags? Thanksgiving Bags benefits the Volunteers of America-Minnesota’s low-income program participants, including families from our Family Treatment Program, adults with special needs, seniors from our senior centers and assisted living buildings, families receiving mental health services, students and families from a number of our contract and alternative schools, and others.  Without this annual Thanksgiving Bags event, these individuals and families would not be able to afford a Thanksgiving meal for the holiday. Why participate in Thanksgiving Bags? Thanksgiving Bags is an opportunity to make a real, tangible difference in the life of a family or individual in need.  Every year, the recipients of the Thanksgiving Bags are overwhelmed by the kindness they receive from complete strangers.  Receiving the bag of Thanksgiving food provides our program participants with more than just a meal.  It is a lasting reminder that there are people who care and who are willing to lend a helping hand.

Ways to Participate: 1.  Volunteer to deliver bags of food to recipients' doorsteps.  Volunteers must have their own vehicles.  Delivery routes consist of 6-27 individual deliveries. The higher the number of deliveries means there are several deliveries within the same high-rise or neighborhood.  Each route is mapped out for volunteer drivers.  Volunteer registration is open now.  Contact Kristin Cook at 952-945-4039 or kcook@voamn.org to sign up. 2. Hold a collection drive for one or more of the food items in the Thanksgiving Bags.  Use this item list to either collect one or more of the items included in the bags, or as a shopping guide to purchase all the items needed in a complete Thanksgiving Bag.  Donated food items or complete bags can be dropped off during business hours (Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at Volunteers of America-Minnesota's Corporate Offices located at 7625 Metro Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55439 now until November 7th. 3. Participate in The Great Turkey Chase.  Hold a company or group-wide collection drive for Cub or Rainbow Foods gift cards that will be included in the Thanksgiving Bags so that each recipient can purchase a turkey ($20 suggested amount).  Gift cards can be dropped off during business hours (Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or mailed to Volunteers of America-Minnesota's Corporate Offices at 7625 Metro Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55439 anytime now until November 7th. 4. Make a Financial Donation. The approximate cost of one Thanksgiving Bag is $50. You can make a donation here.  Please designate "Thanksgiving Bags" in the comments area. 5. Make "Happy Thanksgiving" cards to be included in the Thanksgiving Bags. How and what you use to make them is up to you.  Be creative!  Cards can be dropped off during business hours (Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or mailed to Volunteers of America-Minnesota's Corporate Offices located at 7625 Metro Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55439 anytime now until November 20th.