Mountain Mission announces annual Christmas food basket giveaway signups, holiday sale

Volunteers with Charleston-based nonprofit Mountain Mission distribute Christmas food baskets in 2023.Photo byMountain Mission

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Mountain Mission is accepting applications for its annual Christmas food basket giveaway.

“Sign-ups for our 2024 Mountain Mission Incorporated Christmas Food Basket program for Kanawha County residents are now open and run through Wednesday, Nov. 27,” organizers said in a statement.

The nonprofit, located at 1620 Seventh Avenue in Charleston, will accept applications on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Forms must be submitted in person, organizers said, to receive an approval card.

“If you are wanting a Christmas food basket from Mountain Mission, you must sign up with us directly,” organizers said.

The free giveaway is open to all Kanawha County residents in need.

Those who receive SNAP benefits (formerly called food stamps) are asked to submit a copy of their verification letter. Those without SNAP must provide documented proof of income for the past 30 days.

A valid photo ID is required for all applications.

Food boxes will be distributed to individuals and families in December.

In 2023, Mountain Mission distributed more than 1,250 Christmas food baskets, according to a social media post from that year. Previous baskets have been filled with holiday staples like turkey, dinner rolls, stuffing and dessert. Also included are canned food items, like green beans and corn, as well as 10-pound bags of potatoes.

Mountain Mission's annual Christmas Sale, to be held Nov. 7-9, raises funds for the food baskets, which organizers said cost $100 per box.Photo byMountain Mission

A media report from last year said that each Christmas food box distributed by Mountain Mission “costs $100 to make.”

Donations for the food baskets come from the community. Monetary contributions are accepted on the Mountain Mission website. Local churches, businesses and other organizations sponsor food drives that supplement the boxes.

Boxes are also funded through proceeds from the nonprofit’s annual Christmas Sale. This bazaar, which features Christmas trees, decorations, lights, ornaments, wreaths and other holiday decorations, is set for Nov. 7-9 this year.

“We’ll have three huge days of yuletide savings just in time for the holidays,” organizers said in a release announcing the 2024 Christmas Sale.

More information on this year’s Christmas food basket giveaway is available on Facebook.

Michael Ramsburg is a Kanawha County communities reporter. He can be reached at ramsburgreports@gmail.com or by calling 304-370-3067.