Neighborhood News: The heart of giving

Action in Community Through Service needs donations of food in time for its Operation Turkey Thanksgiving Food Baskets.

Last year, ACTS distributed more than 1,300 food baskets ensuring that nearly 1,089 families in eastern Prince William County were able to celebrate with a Thanksgiving meal. This year it expects to feed nearly 2,100 families.

There are three ways people can help:

» Bring items to fill baskets.

Each basket contains: two cans of corn, 14-15 oz.; two cans of green beans, 14-15 oz.; one can of baked beans, 28 oz.; one can of sweet potatoes, 40 oz.; one large box of muffin or biscuit mix; one box or bag of stuffing, 16 oz.; two cans or jars of gravy or packages of gravy mix; one can of cranberry sauce, 16 oz.; two boxes of macaroni and cheese; one box of instant mashed potatoes, 16 oz.; one can of pumpkin pie mix.

Food donations should be brought to the ACTS Family Services Center, 3900 ACTS Lane, Dumfries, by Nov. 19.

» Make a financial donation.

Each box also contains a gift card towards the purchase of a turkey. To provide such gift cards, make checks payable to: ACTS-Operation Turkey, ACTS, P.O. Box 74, Dumfries, VA. 22026.

» Volunteer your time.

Volunteers are needed for sorting on Saturday, Sunday, Nov. 14, Nov. 15, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22.

Distribution will be made on Nov. 21 and 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. as well as during normal business hours in November. Extra help is needed each day.

Anyone interested in volunteering or for more information, contact Michael Hinz at or by calling 703-221-3186, Ext. 240

For more information, visit the ACTS Web site at http://www.actspwc.org.

—Action in Community Through Service