For the eighth consecutive year, community members will be coming together to share the Christmas spirit with their neighbors by blessing those around them with a box of food for a Christmas Dinner. The Eureka Wellspring was formed in December of 2016 with a small group of willing volunteers and a few monetary and food donations. The group intended to assemble holiday meal baskets for 10-15 local families, but gained enough interest to help more than 30.
Last year was no different, as the group of volunteers came together and provided a meal basket to 152 families in the area. Each family received a special gift box filled with potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, fruit, a ham or turkey, and other goodies that were donated by area residents. Generous donations also allowed the group to purchase small gift sacks for every resident at the Eureka Nursing Center. Those gift sacks included fuzzy blankets, basic toiletries (like body spray, lotion and chapstick) and Christmas goodies.
All items last year, purchased through monetary donations, were purchased at Eureka businesses.
This community kindness project is possible solely through the community’s help with food, gift cards (grocery stores, local dollar stores and Walmart) and monetary donations. Gift cards and monetary donations are used to purchase food where food donations fall short. Members of Eureka Wellspring are currently accepting donations. Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at Burke Chiropractic, Emprise Bank, Eureka G&W Foods, Dollar General, Family Dollar/Dollar Tree, Eureka Country Club, Eureka Senior Center, State Farm Insurance and The Eureka Herald, all located in Eureka. Monetary donations and gift cards can be dropped off at The Eureka Herald with checks made payable to Eureka Christmas Wellspring. Other drop-off or pick-up options can be arranged through the group’s new Facebook page, “2023 Eureka Christmas Wellspring” or dropped off with any volunteer.
Each year, Wellspring starts with a blank slate and accepts names of individuals and families who could use a little “Christmas Spirit” and/or may be needing assistance. Nominations for others are being accepted. If you know of someone that you believe could benefit, please contact Melissa Barkus at 620-222-4890, Sarah Burke at 316-322-5870, Marilee McCoy at 620-583-0378, Ava Jones at 620-583-9084 or Kacey Countryman at 620-583-2563 or fill out the form included in this article and submit to Burke Chiropractic. If leaving a message with your nomination, make sure to provide their name, number of family members residing in the home, their address and phone number. Please note that someone must be at that residence on December 17. The deadline for family names to be turned in for deliveries will be Thursday, December 7. This year, volunteers will meet on Sunday, December 17, beginning at 1 p.m. at Marshall Elementary School in Eureka for packing and delivery. Everyone is welcome to join in by helping pack food boxes or deliver to the families. For more information, or questions on how to volunteer or donate, visit the 2023 Eureka Christmas Wellspring Facebook Page.
