Fargo Public Schools Holiday Meal Baskets receives record number of donations

The third annual event is breaking records for the amount of families it's able to feed this holiday season

FARGO, N.D.- “We had a goal of 145 meals, and we were able to just surpass 200, so we’re just grateful for all the support from the community,” says Fargo Public School’s Student Wellness and Family Facilitator Supervisor Jen Sahr.

The meal basket program is run by Fargo Public Schools’ Student Wellness and Family Facilitators who determine recipients based off of need.

People were able to come by the district office to pick up their basket or they were able to opt for it to be delivered instead.

“With COVID, it’s made it a lot harder because we are not able to do those home visits and we aren’t able to see people as much face-to-face. So, having the ability to get to even have this few minutes with them is really nice to have that interaction and have it be a positive one, says Student Wellness and Family Facilitator Sarah Bernstrom.

Fargo Public Schools partnered with Hornbacher’s for this event.

It made it easy for donors pay for items in the meal basket and have them delivered by the grocery store chain to be packaged at no charge.

“It absolutely fills the gaps and needs that are out there. It really allows families to come together to celebrate whatever they might be celebrating during the winter break,” adds Sahr.

These food baskets provide full meals and food staples for Fargo Public School students and families in need.

The holiday meal includes ham, turkey, or chicken, potatoes, gravy, corn, dinner rolls, pie, and whipped topping.

Kids staple items like mac and cheese, bread, peanut butter and jelly are also in the basket to help feed the families before and after their holiday meals.

“COVID has made it so hard on so many families, so having the ability to have something at this time of year helps us make sure nobody is forgotten,” says Bernstrom.

Gifts from Fargo Public Schools Federal Credit Union’s Giving Tree were also given out along with the meal baskets.