Cedar Park Neighbors' Holiday Basket Drive - 2022

Dear Friends and Neighbors of Cedar Park,

Since 1985, the Cedar Park Neighbors Holiday Baskets Food Drive has brought together donations and volunteers to prepare and distribute food baskets to local families in need in partnership with community and religious organizations.

The 2022 campaign is under way. You can help in two ways:

• Donate to the fund that helps defray the costs of running the program, obtaining the food (some donated, some purchased at discount), and filling the bags that will be distributed this weekend. You can donate through this link (and also pay your annual CPN membership dues at the same time).

• Show up this Saturday (Dec 17) at Calvary Church Community Center (48th and Baltimore)  at 2:30 p.m. to help assemble the bags of food. No special skills required: if you can tell a potato from a bag of carrots, you have all the necessary skills. In past years the assembly process has been a quick and well-organized (and fun!) community effort that truly leaves you feeling good. The whole process takes at most two hours. Chatting with neighbors while working is not only tolerated, it's encouraged.

ADDED 12/25/22:

A number of volunteers showed up and once again an enormous amount of food was quickly parceled out and handed over to other volunteers to deliver. One hundred and forty bags of food were prepared and donated to families composing about six hundred individuals.

Volunteers grouped for a picture. The bags around them are clusters destined for distribution by a particular church or organization.

The assembly line.

Cedar Park Neighbors is a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-exempt to the extent permitted under law.

Cedar Park Neighbors' Holiday Basket Drive - Modified for 2020!

Dear Friends and Neighbors of Cedar Park,

Since 1985, the Cedar Park Neighbors Holiday Baskets Food Drive has brought together donations and volunteers to prepare and distribute food baskets to local families in need in partnership with community and religious organizations.

During this unprecedented pandemic year, Cedar Park Neighbors and its board remain steadfast in their commitment to “neighbors helping neighbors” and doing so in a manner that prioritizes the health of both volunteers and recipient families. Consequently, in lieu of food baskets, CPN will be working with our local partners to distribute grocery store gift cards safely and securely to families.

This season – with its dual and intertwined health and economic crises – may be among the most challenging in the drive’s history. As a result, we are asking those who can give this year to please do so to the extent they are able and donations of any amount are very welcome. Please click here for our donation campaign page on MemberPlanet. Alternately, you may mail checks made out to “Cedar Park Neighbors” with Memo line “Holiday Baskets” to us at 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143.

We want to reach as many families as we can and your financial support will allow us to do so. As a committee, we are exploring how best to help families not currently connected to one of our local partner community and religious organizations.

As in years’ past, neighbors will be able to use this donation form at the same time to join or renew annual membership with Cedar Park Neighbors.

Next year, we very much hope to return the regular Holiday Baskets Food Drive format. Over the decades, this program has become far more than just a volunteer event. It is a special morning where old friends reconnect, and new friendships are formed! Children, first brought along when they were babies, return grown and even begin to help out with the baskets. Families that we have gotten to know through years share how they have been doing and the meaningful impact of this assistance.

Thank you in advance for your continued support! Any updates will be posted to this website.

Business Owners: if you would like to donate gift cards, please contact Michelle Lewis at mlewis1071@gmail.com.

Take Care,

Michelle Lewis, Chair

Cedar Park Neighbors Holiday Baskets

Cedar Park Neighbors is a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-exempt to the extent permitted under law.

Cedar Park Neighbors' Holiday Basket Drive 2019

Dear Friends and Neighbors of Cedar Park,

Once again, Cedar Park Neighbors, in cooperation with area churches and other nonprofit organizations, will prepare and distribute food baskets for those in need during the holiday season.

In 2018, we were able to reach 200 local families - nearly 800 people total! As a continuation of this successful event, we need your financial help and support! Please click here for our donation campaign page on MemberPlanet. Alternately, you may mail checks made out to “Cedar Park Neighbors” with Memo line “Holiday Baskets” to us at 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143.

Please consider a suggested donation in the amount of $36. Support at this amount will help us feed two families and foster our commitment to “neighbors helping neighbors.” For your convenience, we have also included payment options to join or renew your annual membership with Cedar Park Neighbors as well as an “any amount” option.

We will be packing and distributing the baskets on Saturday, December 21, 2019 from 8:30am -11:00am at Renewal Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of 47th and Cedar Avenue. All volunteers are most welcome! Please feel free to contact us at mlewis1071@gmail.com if you have any questions. We thank you in advance for your support!

If you are interested in donating bulk items, please contact Michelle Lewis at mlewis1071@gmail.com

Sincerely,
Michelle Lewis and Beverly Rouse

Cedar Park Neighbors is a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-exempt to the extent permitted under law.

Cedar Park Neighbors' Holiday Basket Drive 2018

Dear Friends and Neighbors of Cedar Park,

Once again, Cedar Park Neighbors, in cooperation with area churches and other nonprofit organizations, will prepare and distribute food baskets for those in need during the holiday season.

In 2017, we were able to reach over 150 local families. As a continuation of this successful event, we need your financial help and support! Please click here for our donation campaign page on MemberPlanet.

Please consider a suggested donation in the amount of $36. Support at this amount will help us feed two families and foster our commitment to “neighbors helping neighbors.” For your convenience, we have also included payment options to join or renew your annual membership with Cedar Park Neighbors as well as an “any amount” option.

We will be packing and distributing the baskets on Saturday, December 22, 2018 from 8:30am -11:00am at Renewal Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of 47th and Cedar Avenue. All volunteers are most welcome! Please feel free to contact us at mlewis1071@gmail.com if you have any questions. We thank you in advance for your support!

If you are interested in donating bulk items, please contact Michelle Lewis at mlewis1071@gmail.com

Sincerely,
Michelle Lewis and Beverly Rouse

Cedar Park Neighbors is a federally recognized 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-exempt to the extent permitted under law.