Thanksgiving Basket Donations

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Beth Skogen

A person in a turkey suit carrying a turkey.

The Goodman turkey helps load groceries into cars on distribution day in 2021.

media release: One day after opening the public phase of registration for the 36th annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive, the Goodman Community Center announced that they reached their registration capacity. 

With the need for baskets at an all-time high, Goodman Community Center is appealing to the public to help collect the food and money needed to fill all 4,000 planned baskets. Through individual contributions, donations by local organizations, and food-drives, the center collects the ingredients needed for each basket. Community members who would like to help can make financial donations online at goodmancenter.org, donate food at the center or host a food drive.  

“This unprecedented demand requires unprecedente generosity by our community,” said Letesha Nelson, Goodman Center CEO. “I’ve already been encouraged by the responce we’ve received, from businesses setting up food drives to individuals giving donations online, but much more is needed. This is a community with a deep capacity for caring for our neighbors. I know that we can to come together to give 4,000 families a healthy, meanignful Thanksgiving.” 

The annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive provides the fixings for families to make full Thanksgiving meals at home. This year the goal was set for 4,000 baskets. All basket recipients must register in advance. Registration is held in two phases. The pre-registration phase is for families participating in Goodman Community Center programs, families identified by Madison Metropolitan School District social workers, and families referred by partner nonprofit organizations. The public phase is open to all Dane County residents. The registration capacity is set greater than 4,0000 to account for no-shows and duplicate registrations. 

During both phases of registration, the Center received unprecidented interest and registrations. In previous years, the public phase of registration was open for at least 10 days. This year the the public phase opened on Monday, October 21. By early morning on Tuesday, October 22, just over 24 hours after public registration open, registrations had reached capacity.  

“In the 36 years that Goodman Community Center has been running this program, this is by far the fastest that we have ever reached capacity. This is a challange, but it’s just one more indicator of the deeper issue of growing food insecurity in our community,” said GCC Food Pantry Assistant Director Francesca Frisque. “People are struggling. I see it in our food pantry every week. Every food pantry in our region is seeing it. But that just makes us more committed than ever to gather the food we need to meet our goals and give 4,000 families what they need to have a joyful Thanksgiving meal.” 

Find more information at goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving. 

How to help: 

Host a food drive (in person or virtual): GCC has provided photos, posters, grocery lists and helpful tips to make your drive successful. Downloadable files are available on their website: goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving. 

Make a financial gift: Funds raised are used to purchase turkeys, perishable items and items needed to completely fill baskets. Donate online at goodmancenter.org/donate. 

Volunteer your time: Though most of the volunteer spots are already filled, you can register to be added to the waiting list at volunteers.goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving-basket-volunteering