Seven Loaves Community is asking the community to provide select food items to help fill boxes for Thanksgiving Dinner for families in need. More than 800 Collin County families returning with vouchers will receive full Thanksgiving meals.  The majority of the recipient families will participate in a “turkey drive thru” on Friday, November 18, from 4-6 p.m. to pick up turkeys and boxes with all the trimmings. In addition to obtaining items from the North Texas Food Bank, Seven Loaves depends on the generosity of the community and local businesses to help provide the following in these specific sizes:

• Green Beans in 15 ounce cans
• Kernel Corn in 15 ounce cans
• Sweet Potatoes in 15 ounce cans
• Mixed Vegetables in 15 ounce cans
• Box of Stuffing Mix
• Box Mashed Potatoes (serves 8)
• Macaroni & Cheese (7.25 oz. box)
• Cornbread Mix (bag or box)

Items should be dropped off at Seven Loaves Community, located at 5801 W. Plano Pkwy., by Monday, November 14.  Enter the doors on the northeast side of St. Andrew United Methodist Church at Mira Vista and Plano Parkway and drop the items in the collection bins just inside the doorway.

“This is such a generous community, and we are so very grateful to the many families and businesses whose help ensures that many Collin County families will have a wonderful Thanksgiving to share with their families,” said Jeff Dooley, Executive Director for Seven Loaves.  “We thank you in advance for the difference you will make!”

Seven Loaves is also accepting funds to help purchase these items along with 16-18 pound turkeys.  The total cost to cover a meal is $32. Please mail checks for this amount to Seven Loaves Community, 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX  75093. For more information visit www.7loavescommunity.org.

The Seven Loaves Community was established in 2009.  The Food Pantry, the first initiative of Seven Loaves Community, serves an average of 550 families a month. The program includes Joseph’s Coat, a clothing closet, which provides an average of 4,000 garments each month; Project Hope, a mentoring program to support women in crisis; and Plus One, providing hygiene products to clients. An estimated 130,000 people in Collin County live below the poverty level, more than half of which are children.  www.7loavescommunity.org