An annual collaboration between the Marion Independent School District and the Marion Independent School Foundation is taking shape this week, and over 200 local Marion families will benefit.
The Holiday Giving Project was started by a small group of Marion Independent staff members over thirty years ago. They adopted a small number of families and shared whatever holiday food and gifts they could fit into one car.
Since then, the project has grown to help a record 225 families in the Marion community this year.
And this may not be the final total number.
What is the Holiday Giving Project?
Local families in the Marion Independent School District who are in need of assistance this holiday season can request support through the Holiday Giving Project.
Families are provided with a large box of food for free. In addition, each family is adopted by a community partner, classroom, organization, or business that purchases gifts for the family as well as gift cards for food or family entertainment.
How it happens
Social worker for the Marion Independent School District Michelle Wilson coordinates the Holiday Giving Project, and she has enlisted the help of a wide variety of community partners.
“Every building in the district is involved,” she explained. Some classes do a read-a-thon to raise money to support the holiday giving project. Some classrooms adopt a family.
Local Marion businesses and nonprofits like Goldfinch restaurant and Marion Cares regularly adopt between 25-30 families. Hy-Vee, Quaker/Pepsico and Swamp Fox Books are also generous partners, donating food, books, boxes, and more.
“Dollar Tree and McGrath did toy drives,” Wilson explained. “We receive so much support from local service organizations, churches. Cub scout groups come together to adopt a family.”
Other local partners include the Marion Chamber of Commerce, local senior homes, Rotary clubs, student organizations, Marion Police Department, City of Marion, banks, local sports teams, Roots in Bloom, law offices, FREUND, Inc., and more.
“It’s pretty amazing.”
This week high school students have been working with Wilson before and after school to accept and organize donations.
And this weekend a group of retired Marion teachers comes to “shop” for the adopted families – putting together food boxes specific to the family’s size and needs.
All items are then delivered to families throughout the week of December 12-18.
If you would like to donate money to help support the project, please contact the Marion Independent School Foundation and simply put “holiday giving project” in the comment box.