The Christmas basket committee is making their list and checking it twice.

This year they expect more people to be in need of assistance during the holiday season due to the pandemic, said Jan Cronin, member of the Christmas basket committee.

“We are anticipating more need due to the times and more people being unemployed,” she said.

How much more need is difficult for the committee to know.

“Last year need was down about 10%, but we aren’t exactly sure how much of an increase to be prepared for,” Cronin said. “I don’t know whether to expect to have 20 or 50 more families apply. We ordered 15% more food to start.”

The committee has moved the deadline up a bit in anticipation of more need, giving it more time to respond. All applications must be returned to the Powell Police Department by Sunday, Dec. 13. The applications will be available beginning Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Powell Law Enforcement Center (day or night), the Park County School District No. 1 Administrative Office and at the Wyoming Department of Family Services Office at the Park County Annex. Applicants’ information will remain confidential. 

The distribution location is changing this year. Due to the pandemic, the Wyoming National Guard Armory isn’t available. So the new location is the Park County Fairgrounds. Food and toys will be distributed using a drive-thru system, to protect both families in need and volunteers.

“We’re trying to eliminate as much personal contact as possible. It will be safer and still meet the needs,” Cronin said.

Providing Christmas baskets has been an important tradition of the Powell community for many years. As a community, the volunteers administering the program strive to serve neighbors in need to be assured that every family has a Christmas dinner.

This year, Toys for Tots will be organized by Cody resident Nick Martin. He volunteered to lead as campaign coordinator for Toys for Tots in Park and Big Horn counties two years ago, replacing long-time volunteer Harold Wages. Martin became involved in the group while serving nine years in the Marines, including two tours in the Middle East. Toys for Tots was started in 1947 and is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. After returning to Cody, a serendipitous meeting with Wages led to Martin’s involvement in the area program. Volunteering for the group touched his heart, he said, leading to the new role.

“Sometimes a family will have to make the choice between paying the electric bill and buying toys for their kids so they’ll have something under the tree,” Martin said in his first year volunteering. “That’s why we’re here — so they don’t have to make that choice.”

The committee is asking the community to help the volunteers who facilitate this program of bringing the spirit and joy of Christmas “to the homes of those in our community that would possibly go without if not for your generosity,” a letter from the group reads.

Tax-deductible donations from the folks of the community make this program possible. Make checks payable to Powell Christmas Baskets and mail to P.O. Box 124, Powell, WY 82435.