Seekonk’s Holiday Food and Gift Drives Underway

The Christmas season has begun and Seekonk Human Services is planning its annual holiday food and gift drives. They are hoping the community will once again help out with donations and the “Adopt-a-Family” program.
Thanksgiving was a busy time, says Ashley Pimental, Senior Secretary at the Department of Human Services. They delivered 86 food baskets filled with traditional holiday fare and 30 hot turkey dinners were prepared and delivered. The hot meals were sponsored by Outback Steakhouse.
Now they are getting ready for Christmas. Any families interested in signing up children for the Christmas gift drive must fill out a form at Human Services on Pleasant Street. The program is for children ages infant to 16 years old in school or up to age 22 with special needs. The wish lists are due by December 19.
Donors can “adopt-a-family” now as some applications have already come in. There are about 15 families on the list but it’s still early and more are expected, says Pimental.
Human Services also delivers hot meals and food baskets for Christmas. Participants have a choice of ham or turkey. The deadline to sign up for a Christmas food basket or hot meal is Friday, December 19.
One family in Seekonk donates all the hot meals and delivers the food themselves. Pimental says they call them the “Mystery Family.” About 30 meals were delivered last year.
It may be hard to believe there are families in Seekonk who need help, but anyone can find themselves in a situation where they need some assistance. It seems more and more families are in that situation.
“The need is increasing,” said Pimental.
Human Services also has a fuel assistance program, which began November 1. Anyone who had fuel assistance last year should be receiving an application. The applications should be sent in as soon as possible.
Anyone who has never had fuel assistance and would like to apply, please call Human Services as soon as possible at 508-336-8772. They are happy to answer questions or provide further information.
With the community’s support, Human Services hopes to make this a happy Christmas for everyone.
Seekonk Human Services is located at 320 Pleasant Street. Donations can also be mailed in. Please make checks payable to “Town of Seekonk” and write “holiday donation” or “fuel donation” in the memo line.
Hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and evening hours by appointment only.
If you have questions on any of the holiday programs, please call 508-336-8772.