RWC to Hold Community Thanksgiving Food Drive
Annual tradition marks its 28th year
Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury will sponsor its 28th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to collect non-perishable goods for distribution to local families to ensure that their Thanksgiving holiday is joyous and bountiful. The food drive will run from Nov.1-15. Residents, staff and members of the community are encouraged to bring donations to RWC’s atrium, located on RWC’s campus, 132 Lancaster Dr.
RWC’s Thanksgiving Food Drive began in 1990 when the residents’ religious life committee asked residents to donate items. “Traditions like this are good things,” said Greg Houck, RWC chaplain and one of the drive’s organizers. “We celebrate our abundance and blessings, but we also recognize that there are real needs.” The food drive, he said “helps connect our resources to people with needs.”
Food collected during the drive will again be donated to the Holy Tabernacle Food Pantry, the first established in Lancaster County. Donors are encouraged to consider recipients’ dietary needs and to ensure that donated food has a recent buy date.
In addition to nonperishable food, donations of cash or checks also are welcome, as those funds will be used to purchase perishable goods. Checks should be made payable to the Holy Tabernacle Food Pantry and delivered or mailed to the front desk at RWC’s Chesapeake Center, 132 Lancaster Dr., Irvington, VA 22480.
At 11 a.m. Nov. 21, the RWC community will hold a ceremony in the Auditorium to celebrate Thanksgiving and to bless the donated items before delivering them to the food pantry. The public is invited to this special blessing. No reservations required.
Questions about the Thanksgiving Food Drive may be directed to Chaplain Houck by calling 804-438-4000.