GPHC Command Central: All The Fixins
475 Boxes Of Essentials Distributed During 12th Annual Thanksgiving Giveaway
By Lori Midson
Executive Director, GPHC, Inc.
For the better part of November our staff, coupled with dozens of fantastic volunteers, assembled, stocked, distributed and delivered upwards of 475 food-filled boxes of Thanksgiving essentials to families experiencing food insecurity.
We ensured that dinner tables were liberally stocked with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes with gravy, hot chocolate and cider, rolls, biscuits, boxes of cornbread mix and fruit and pumpkin pies. We distributed loads of fresh vegetables and grocery cards, too.
By the time we handed out our last box on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we’d distributed more than 12,000 pounds — that’s six tons — of food. Six tons is roughly the weight of three hippos, six rhinos or two orcas. Oof!
Our Thanksgiving Giveaway, which Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. has hosted for 12 years, is an absolute labor of love, and there are so, so many people to thank. To everyone who hosted a food drive, donated gift cards, made financial contributions, packed and distributed boxes, brought fresh pies and bags of Thanksgiving fixings to our office, and generously made jaunts to the grocery store to pick up a few extra items, we are immensely appreciative for supporting us and our community. Your time and contributions helped those in need have a proper Thanksgiving meal.
In all, your collective generosity helped us feed more than 1,400 individuals and families. That’s something to celebrate.
On behalf of our board of directors, staff and numerous volunteers, we wish you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays.
Greater Park Hill Food Pantry
Our food pantry visits have increased more than 115 percent over the last year, and our pantry shelves need some replenishing. If you’re at the grocery store, please consider donating a few items from the list below.
• Canned fish, meat & Spam
• Cereal and oatmeal
• Canned tomatoes, tomato paste and tomato sauce
• Pasta sauce
• Hearty soups and stews
• Canned ravioli and chili
• Canned beans (refried, kidney and pinto)
• Canned vegetables
• Canned fruit
• Cartons/boxes of mashed potatoes
• Instant coffee and teabags
• Shelf-stable pasta and rice dishes (Rice-a-Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
• Can openers
• Toiletries
• Paper products (paper towels and toilet paper)
• Dog food
We accept unopened and unexpired (please, please be mindful of expiration dates) food donations between 8:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Our office is at 2823 Fairfax St. Unopened and unexpired donations can also be dropped off in the bins inside Mayfair Liquors at 14th and Krameria and the Park Hill Library at Montview and Dexter during their normal business hours.
Our food pantry needs are updated as needed on the GPHC website: greaterparkhill.org/food-programs/emergency-food-pantry/. We also welcome food drives on our behalf. To set up a food drive, contact Lori Midson: director@greaterparkhill.org.
GPHC Membership
Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is a membership-based organization, and the more members we have, the stronger our collective voice becomes. Sign up or renew your membership at greaterparkhill.org/join-us/become-a-member or drop off a check (and say hello) at our office.
Our current board members and contacts is listed on page 25. We look forward to serving you, listening to your ideas and input and working collaboratively on projects, programs and issues.
Thank you to our current members, donors and volunteers for your kindness, in-kind and financial contributions, involvement and dedication to GPHC, Inc. You are deeply appreciated.