Holiday Food and Gift Basket
The Holiday Food and Gift Basket (HFGB), a community institution since the 1970's, provides food gift cards for Thanksgiving to low income families, seniors and adult singles living in Oak Park and River Forest. The program also coordinates hundreds of sponsors to purchase holiday gifts delivered to the same households in December.
This year, the HFGB will provide assistance at the holidays to over 900 households referred through the Oak Park and River Forest Townships, local schools, local churches, and social service organizations, including Parenthesis, Hephzibah Children's Association, and Thrive Counseling Center among others. These households represent about 2,200 individuals.
The program is funded, in part, by a grant from Oak Park Township Youth Services and River Forest Township, along with financial donations from organizations, churches, and individuals throughout our communities. In addition, more than 400 individuals and groups sign up to purchase gifts for those seeking assistance from the HFGB.
The Holiday Food and Gift Basket (HFGB), a community institution since the 1970's, provides food gift cards for Thanksgiving to low income families, seniors and adult singles living in Oak Park and River Forest. The program also coordinates hundreds of sponsors to purchase holiday gifts delivered to the same households in December.
This year, the HFGB will provide assistance at the holidays to over 900 households referred through the Oak Park and River Forest Townships, local schools, local churches, and social service organizations, including Parenthesis, Hephzibah Children's Association, and Thrive Counseling Center among others. These households represent about 2,200 individuals.
The program is funded, in part, by a grant from Oak Park Township Youth Services and River Forest Township, along with financial donations from organizations, churches, and individuals throughout our communities. In addition, more than 400 individuals and groups sign up to purchase gifts for those seeking assistance from the HFGB.
Financial Support
Money raised is primarily used to fund the food gifts cards distributed in November, which cost the program about $30,000 each year. Help us continue to enable the individuals served to celebrate these special occasions with food and gifts that nourish both their physical and emotional health. Checks made out to Holiday Food and Gift Basket may be sent to HFGB, P.O. Box 3365, Oak Park, IL 60303. Thank you!
Become a Sponsor
Sign up to purchase holiday gifts for one or more families, seniors or single adults and we’ll provide you with their gift wish lists. You shop, wrap and drop off the gifts to us in early December. Contact us at the e-mail address or phone number below. Provide your name, email address, street address and phone number and we’ll mail you all the details.
2012 Key Dates
Friday, October 19: All referrals due to the Holiday Food and Gift Basket office
Saturday, December 1 – Thursday, December 6 – Gift drop off at United Lutheran Church,
409 Greenfield, Oak Park
Saturday, December 1 – 9 a.m. - Noon
Monday, December 3 – 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 4 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 5 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 6 – 8:00 a.m. to Noon and 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 8 – Gift delivery to sponsored families
Saturday, December 1 – Thursday, December 6 – Gift drop off at United Lutheran Church,
409 Greenfield, Oak Park
Saturday, December 1 – 9 a.m. - Noon
Monday, December 3 – 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 4 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 5 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 6 – 8:00 a.m. to Noon and 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 8 – Gift delivery to sponsored families
Join Our Mailing List
In 2012 the HFGB will need volunteers to organize and deliver gifts. We will also need sponsors to purchase and wrap gifts for the referred families and individuals. If you would like to be on our mailing list to receive information please email holidaybasket@hotmail.com. Thank you!
Community Partners
HFGB would like to thank the following businesses and organizations that supported the program in 2012 in a variety of ways, including financial support, donating baked goods for the Farmer's Market bake sale, and sharing information about the program through their outlets.
Downtown Oak Park
Jewel Food Stores
Juice Joint
Nineteenth Century Charitable Association
Oak Park Arts District
Oak Park River Forest Rotary Club
Oak Park Women's Guild
OPRF Newcomers Club
Patch.com
Pioneer Press
River Forest Service Club
The Neighborhood Giving Project
Ten Thousand Villages
Wednesday Journal
HFGB 2012
Volunteers are busy organizing food gift cards for distribution.
Farmer's Market Bake Sale 9-22-12
HFGB 2011
HFGB in the News (Copy links into new browser to view)
ABC News, December 8, 2011:
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=8460217&pid=8459718
WGN News, December 10, 2011:
http://www.wgntv.com/videogallery/66694522/News/Massive-Gift-Drive-in-Oak-Park#gl-0
Referral Sources
CEDA Head Start
Hephziabah Children's Association
Oak Park Dept. of Public Health
Oak Park Housing Authority
Oak Park River Forest High School
Oak Park River Forest Day Nursery
Oak Park School District 97
Oak Park Senior Services
Oak Park Township
Parenthesis
River Forest School District 90
River Forest Township
St. Catherine/St. Lucy Church
St. Catherine/St. Lucy School
St. Edmund Church
The Children's Clinic
The Try Center
Threshholds
Thrive Counseling Center
Contact Us
Patty Henek, HFGB Coordinator: holidaybasket@hotmail.com or call 708/771-6159, ext. 244. Please allow up to seven rings before the voice mail picks up. Prior to October 1st phone messages will be answered weekly.
"LIKE" us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holiday-Food-and-Gift-Basket/147486818666677
Patty Henek, HFGB Coordinator: holidaybasket@hotmail.com or call 708/771-6159, ext. 244. Please allow up to seven rings before the voice mail picks up. Prior to October 1st phone messages will be answered weekly.
"LIKE" us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holiday-Food-and-Gift-Basket/147486818666677
