- December 3, 2024
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Volunteer drivers were given meal boxes and addresses to deliver. Courtesy of the Volusia Basket Brigade
The Volusia Basket Brigade delivered between 4,500 and 4,700 to families across Volusia County and in Flagler County. Courtesy of the Volusia Basket Brigade
The Volusia Basket Brigade worked with over 900 volunteers of all ages to organize and deliver the Thanksgiving Day meal boxes. Courtesy of the Volusia Basket Brigade
The Volusia Basket Brigade worked with over 900 volunteers of all ages to organize and deliver the Thanksgiving Day meal boxes. Courtesy of the Volusia Basket Brigade
Volusia Basket Brigade founder Amy Hall said the efforts of the volunteers and community who work to deliver Thanksgiving Day meals to families in need encompasses the season of giving.
“I love the fact that our community rallies and comes together to provide that hand up to individuals who may just need a little extra,” Hall said.
On Nov. 23, the Basket Brigade delivered between 4,500-4,700 boxes to feed over 25,000 people in Volusia County for Thanksgiving Day, Hall said.
She said when Volusia Basket Brigade started 20 years prior, it began with just 100 baskets. Since then, the Basket Brigade has delivered baskets and boxes of ingredients for Thanksgiving dinners to thousands of Volusia County — and some Flagler County, through the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia — residents in need.
The boxes include a ranged of canned goods and ingredients and gift cards to go toward purchasing a turkey.
The brigade has around 900 volunteers and works with local businesses, churches, organizations and Volusia County Schools to secure boxes for all who need them.
“It is by far the biggest community effort within Volusia County,” Hall said.
Hall said she opens up nominations for families that need a box in August. There isn’t a strict process beyond nominating, she said, and families can even nominate themselves. Individuals and businesses alike can then commit to filling a box and can use the “shopping list” provided on the brigade’s website as a guide of what to fill in the box.
The boxes are then dropped off at designated locations around Volusia County and stored in large storage containers until delivery day.
The volunteer drivers are then given five boxes and addresses to drop off. Hall said she hears all the time from box recipients how much the meals mean to them.
“I'm grateful that a community recognizes that [people] just needed a big hug, which is essentially what this box does, is provide people that big hug and that hand up,” she said.
Hall credits the success of the Volusia Basket Brigade to her communities’ generosity and efforts.
“I'm just a conductor, like in an orchestra,” Hall said. “It's the people, the community, that make the music. It's their donations, their nominations, their willingness to drive that make the music and it's, it's beautiful.”
