Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry is pleased to announce a seasonal assistance grant award from the Polk County Community Foundation for our holiday program.

The outreach’s holiday program includes Thanksgiving and Christmas meal grocery store gift card distributions, as well as the Holiday Tree gift distribution. The outreach believes that the Thanksgiving meal should be shared in homes around the table with family and friends. 

This allows families to continue holiday traditions that have been instilled over generations. As such, we purchase and distribute gift cards from local grocery stores that allow eligible families to celebrate the holiday in their own style.

The Christmas Meal is provided by the Salvation Army, and consists of a box of food and a gift card to purchase meat.

The goal of the Holiday Tree gift program is to provide children and seniors with gifts or gift cards that can be placed under the Christmas tree. The outreach distributes wooden holiday trees to area churches and businesses, and asks residents to “adopt” a client and purchase gifts for them.

If you’re interested in volunteering or contributing to our Thanksgiving and Christmas programs, please contact the outreach at 828-894-2988.

– Submitted by Margot Carter