Donations needed for Thanksgiving baskets

The Community Assistance Program is preparing its annual Thanksgiving dinner baskets for local families experiencing financial instability.

The program will gift 230 baskets to families and $50 Cost Cutter vouchers to individuals and couples in the Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer areas. Drive-through distribution will take place in the Cost Cutter parking lot between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on November 24.

Baskets are scaled to family size with ingredients like turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, bread rolls and green beans. Bedlington Farms in Lynden donated potatoes and Edaleen Dairy donated milk, said Shirley Tobian, Thanksgiving basket co-director.

“I believe in helping people. I think it’s a worthy cause,” she said. “It brings a smile to your face seeing how much people appreciate it.”

Community members are unable to donate homemade pies due to Covid-19 health precautions, so all basket recipients will get a certificate for a Cost Cutter pie, said Tobian, who anticipates $2,600 in additional expenses to pay for the pies.

Baskets and vouchers will cost close to $20,000, Tobian estimates, whose non-profit program relies on contributions from community members and businesses.

If space fills up, people can sign up for a waitlist if there are additional baskets on November 24. Leftover baskets will be first-come, first-serve until they run out and then will be sent to the Blaine Food Bank.

People receiving baskets should stay in their vehicle and wear a mask. Firefighters and about 15 volunteers will assist with handing out baskets. Volunteers will also wear masks and gloves, and keep 6 feet of distance while packing the boxes, Tobian said.

People can reserve a basket until Friday, November 13 by visiting blainecap.org or calling 360/383-8444. To donate, a check made out to CAP with "Thanksgiving Baskets" in the memo can be sent to P.O. Box 1067, Blaine, Washington 98231.