12/20/2024
Each year the Du Quoin Fraternal Order of Eagles #779 assembles and distributes Thanksgiving baskets to low income families with children that attend the Du Quoin Elementary and Middle Schools. The families are referred to us from school counselors that know the needs of these children and their families. In past years we have been able to provide these baskets with assistance from a significant donor that we learned, that due to the economy, they would not be able to assist us this year. With less than a week to prepare we walked to downtown local businesses, restaurants, bars, clubs and organizations to ask if anyone would be willing to donate. This year we were able to distribute 20 baskets (1 basket included 2 boxes) that were filled with enough food to make a mostly traditional Thanksgiving dinner, 2-3 additional lunch and dinner meals, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and dairy products. The looks of surprise and excitement on the families and childrens faces were priceless!
We would not have been able to do this without the assistance from the very generous local businesses listed below who were willing to step up at the last minute and give. Please, while your out doing your last minute Christmas shopping make it a point to stop in at these local businesses, patronize them and/or thank them for their generosity in giving back to this beautiful community we live in. Please continue to patronize them in the upcoming new year.
Merry Christmas To All!🎄🎁
Blanca’s Corner
Kalin’s Cafe
SanDDy’s (Voice Enterprises)
Du Quoin American Legion
Rank-n-File Lounge
S & LB’s Place
Lee’s Professional Drain Line Cleaning
Jerry’s Jammers
*Some additional donations were made by private donors.
An additional huge “Thank You” goes out to the Herrin Police Department for donating new coats, hats and gloves that were also distributed that day.
