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Family To Family Thanksgiving Feast

SCRANTON — More than 3,100 baskets filled with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving feast were given away Wednesday morning in Lackawanna County. The Family...
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SCRANTON — More than 3,100 baskets filled with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving feast were given away Wednesday morning in Lackawanna County.

The Family to Family program is again helping thousands in our area enjoy a holiday meal.

The line wrapped around North Washington Avenue.   Thousands in Lackawanna County braved the cold, waiting hours to take home the makings for a Thanksgiving feast.

“It’s a turkey, some bread, and a pie, enough for one person,” said Gary Andrews of Scranton.

Andrews is just one of the 15,000 people this Family to Family program in Lackawanna County is helping this holiday for the 27th year.

Family to Family co-founder Mary Lou Burne says the need continues to grow.

“One in three children in our community deal with some kind of hunger and I don’t think those numbers have ever been that high.”

Thousands of families are being helped by more than 600 volunteers.  Without them, this program wouldn’t be possible.

Dylan Campbell, 13, helped hand out the baskets all morning.

“It’s made me feel really good. Not only is this giving people an opportunity to get food for over Thanksgiving, it’s giving them the opportunity to cook the food and have an authentic-feeling Thanksgiving.”

Donations cover most of the cost of the thanksgiving meals, about $85,000.

Those donations are helping Ellie Dunbar and her daughter enjoy cooking a dinner together this holiday.

“Being home finally after almost 17 years, finally being home with my family where I belong,” said Gabrielle Acciai.

And that’s what Family to Family founders say this program is all about.

“When we have our dinner, it will be very comforting to know that there are mothers and fathers, and especially the children, enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner,” Burne said.

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