FRANKLIN
The City of Franklin’s Public Works Department is raising funds and collecting traditional Thanksgiving food items to try to provide at least 30 families with Thanksgiving dinners next month.

According to Orange Neblett, inventory manager for the Public Works Department and the coordinator for this effort, the idea to take up a collection originated last year with Russ Pace, the department’s director, who was inspired by the efforts of his church. His goal was to help some of the departments employees and their families and friends who could not otherwise afford Thanksgiving dinners.

Last year, the department received enough donations to provide meals to eight families.

“We wanted to help more people this year since we had more time,” Neblett said, explaining that the department has been raising funds for the past few months. “I also reached out to Walmart, Farm Fresh and Food Lion to see if they were able to donate items as well.”

This year, the food will be given in tote bags instead of decorated cardboard boxes, as was done last year, so that the families who receive meals can reuse the bags.

Each tote will contain one turkey and/or ham, two small cans of turkey gravy or one large jar of gravy, three small cans of green beans or one large can, three small cans of corn or one large can, one box of Velveeta Mac-n-Cheese, one box or bag of stuffing, one bag of potatoes, one can or jar of cranberry sauce, one boxed cake and frosting, one apple pie, and rolls (not frozen.) Recipients of the meals will be chosen via nominations from the department’s employees or the general public.

To donate money or food to the department’s effort, or to nominate a family in need, contact Neblett at 562-8567 or email oneblett@franklinva.com. Donations will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 10, with families being notified the week before the Thanksgiving holiday.