The annual Burbank Holiday Baskets program, organized by the Burbank Coordinating Council, is in full swing as December nears. Businesses, service groups, local PTAs, area schools, city departments and individuals throughout Burbank work together to provide 550 needy families with food, presents and the trappings of the Holiday season.
The Burbank Coordinating Council (BCC) kicked off the season’s efforts with the Spirit of Giving Luncheon on November 4, honoring Burbank Councilmember Emily Gabel-Luddy, the City of Burbank and the Burbank Fire Department.
Since 1933, the BCC has served the City of Burbank with the annual Burbank Holiday Baskets program, matching donors with local needy families.
Firefighters prepare to deliver holiday packages. (Photo Courtesy of Burbank Coordinating Council)
“We try to protect confidences, verify needs and avoid duplications,” explained Janet Diel, who co-chairs the Burbank Holiday Baskets program with Barbara Salamon and Dave Golonski. “Thanks to the generous support of people, we were able to serve over 550 families including more than 2400 people last year.”
Upcoming events for which the Burbank Coordinating Council needs donations and volunteer help are:
Saturday, December 10 – Collect Food Donations at Local Grocery Stores (10am – 6pm)
Wednesday, December 15 – Sort Food, Fill Bags at Little White Chapel (3pm – 8pm)
Friday, December 16 – Move Bags, Build Baskets at McKinley Elementary (3pm – 8pm)
Saturday, December 17 – Burbank Holiday Basket Delivery from McKinley (7am – 4pm)
“We need help with all of these,” added Diel. “Nothing makes the holidays feel better than helping brighten them for others… join us!”
Volunteers put together Burbank Holiday Baskets. (Photo Courtesy Burbank Coordinating Council)
Burbank Coordinating Council offers community service learning hours for students who wish to help. Those who may be able to volunteer for just a few hours are welcome, she said.
For those individuals or organizations who would like to participate and haven’t signed up yet with the Burbank Coordinating Council, Diel asks for interested donors and volunteers to contact the BCC via email at ccholidaybaskets.org or by visiting the service group’s website here.
Burbank Coordinating Council staff are also available to answer questions about the program via phone by calling (818) 238-7647 or (818) 216-9377.
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