SCRANTON, Pa. — Cars lined up along North Washington Avenue in Scranton as volunteers loaded up boxes of food. This is the Family to Family Easter food basket program.
Each box includes a ham and all the fixings for a holiday meal.
Friends of the Poor also collected Easter baskets to give to children in those families.
This annual event is aimed at providing some extra help for people who are struggling financially.
"We're thinking about every holiday, we want people to have food and have an Easter basket, especially to people who just may not have the means to do it," said organizer Linda Robeson.
Those who were on the receiving end of these meals and baskets say they are thankful for this event.
"I try to help my family that can't afford extras at the holiday, and I like to deliver to them, and I have some friends that don't drive, so I like to deliver to them, and I like to try to help out others, and I'm just so glad they offer it," Renee Schneider said.
"I work part-time, I'm on disability, so this is a blessing from God and from everybody that's involved in this," said another recipient.
Friends of the Poor and Family to Family also host food basket programs for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Volunteers say what makes this one a little special is passing out the Easter baskets for the kids.
"I love seeing the smiles on the kids. My kids are grown now, and I've got grandkids, so it's great putting smiles on all these kids' faces," Amy Heskell said.
Program Director Linda Robeson is surprised at how much the need during this Easter event has grown.
"Just five years ago, we were only serving like 1,200 or 2,000 families. And this year, we're prepared to serve 4,000 families for Easter dinner."
Friends of the Poor and the Family to Family program welcome donations all year round to fund these food giveaways.