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December 16, 2009

Gift of groceries

Marlow Samaritans continue tradition of Christmas food boxes

Kevin Kerr

MARLOW — Marlow Samaritans will be filling up and passing out their annual Christmas food baskets Saturday morning to people in the area.

Bill Carter, president of Marlow Samaritans said that this is a huge undertaking, but he has a lot of people to help him out.

“We have a lot of great people that come and help us out,” Carter said.

“We had 60 last year and should have around that or more this year to help us out.”

As in previous years, baskets will be given out around 9 a.m. at the Marlow Elementary School cafeteria. Volunteers will show up and begin laying out food items to distribute in the baskets that will be given to families in the Marlow area. Carter said that the baskets are limited to people in the Marlow, Central High and Bray-Doyle school district areas simply because of the limited amount of supplies they have.

“No matter what we get we could use more,” Carter said.

Last year, 220 baskets were given out, and this year, Carter said the number is already up to 240, and he still expects more. But rest assured, he said they would not run out of supplies for the baskets.

Every basket will have a frozen chicken, margarine, rolls, eggs and a 10 pound sack of potatoes, as well as four other canned food items. Carter said that this food usually goes a long way for the families that get it, and families with four or more members can receive two baskets of food.

Marlow Samaritans benefits people all over the area by giving food to people who need it and also by providing utility bills and rent to people who need it as well. Carter said they help around 1,200 people a year between their food bank and their clothing store.

The clothing store is something that Carter said is particularly special to the area.

“It’s like any other kind of clothing store — except it’s all free,” Carter said. “We have clothes for old people, young people, teenagers, adults, you name it, it’s there, and we hardly ever get clothes that we can’t use.”

Ultimately though, the group is about giving to those who need it, and Carter is dedicated to giving everyone a happy Christmas.

“I know I’m going to have a great Christmas, I’m going to spend time with my family,” Carter said. “But I just want to make sure that everyone else has a great one too.”



— Kevin Kerr is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 147, or via e-mail at kevin.kerr@duncanbanner.com.

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