News

IAM seeks ham, turkey donations for holidays

Pantry volunteers George Oleksa and Linda Simpson hand donated ham and turkey to Food Pantry Manager Ernest Brown for the Holiday Food Drive at Interfaith Assistance Ministry.

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 14, 2019

Interfaith Assistance Ministry will begin accepting turkeys, hams and holiday foods for its third annual Holiday Food Drive Oct. 14 to help ensure that local families can enjoy a holiday meal at home this season.

The largest provider of crisis services to Henderson County residents, IAM last year provided holiday meals to more than 1,489 children and adults who needed crisis assistance during the holiday season.

“Holidays are often difficult time for many of our neighbors struggling to make ends meet. Adding the expense of holiday gifts and meals adds additional stress and worry to their lives,” said Elizabeth Willson Moss, IAM executive director. “Please consider hosting a turkey and ham drive or a Holiday Food Drive at your church or synagogue, work place, civic club, school or neighborhood.”
Donations needed for holiday meals include 6- to10-pound hams, 10- to 15-pound turkeys, turkey breasts and food for side dishes — stuffing mix, gravy mix or canned gravy, sweet potatoes or yams, canned fruits, canned green beans, corn, carrots, peas, potatoes, instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, pie crusts, pie filling, cake mixes and icing.

Donations may be brought to IAM, at 310 Freeman Street, near the Blue Ridge Mall, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Pickups for donations can be arranged by calling Brown at 828-697-7029. Holiday Food Drive donations will be accepted through Dec. 20th. Please mail contributions to purchase holiday food to IAM at P.O. Box 2562, Hendersonville, NC 28793. You can also give financial donations via IAM’s website at www.iam-hc.org. All donations are tax deductible.