Sara Sandstrom, Nederland. As with so many things this year the Nederland Food Pantry has had to adapt to changes with Covid. However, they are not going to allow the pandemic to deter their annual distribution of Thanksgiving and Holiday boxes. It will look a little different than past years, but food and gift cards will be available for the people who need it. 

The distribution of Thanksgiving bags will be on November 14 and 21, 2020. All distributions will be at the regular time of Saturdays from 10 a.m to noon. Thanksgiving bags will include the traditional Thanksgiving food and hopefully a few extras. 

The Nederland Food Pantry will be distributing at all the locations they serve which are Nederland, Ward, Jamestown and Gold Hill. 

Holiday boxes will start to be distributed earlier than most years. Director of the Nederland Food Pantry, Chris Current, says, “We start distributing early to make sure all have a chance to connect and receive.” 

Holiday boxes will be given out on December 12 and 19. Again the times are 10 a.m. – noon on these Saturdays. 

Because this is a pickup system, and no one will be allowed inside gift cards will be given to children under the age of 18. One box per household is permitted. The Holiday boxes will include laundry detergent, toothpaste and other toiletry items. 

The Nederland Food Pantry with all their volunteers and donations come through for the community time and time again. Through fires, floods, and a pandemic these folks are committed to feeding those in need. 

(Originally published in the November 12, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)