Johnson City Press Christmas Box

A local ministry is getting a head start on their annual Christmas food program. They need your help to raise money to feed the needy in our community. Each year, the Johnson City Press Christmas Box provides food boxes for over 900 families as well as a $35 gift certificate for seniors in Carter County. Becky Brumitt of Hale Community Ministries told us there were twenty-one food items in the boxes last year including a ham and a turkey. "We found out that seniors are on special diets," says Martha Laws who represents Carter County at the Johnson City Press Food Box. She sites this as the reason for offering seniors certificates. It is an immense struggle to raise the funds to purchase the food. Laws says that the committee in charge of Carter County's food box has had to raise money each year for the program. This year, they hope to get a head start and gain recurring donors. The program needs help from individuals like you as the costs for the program total more than $30,000. Becky Brumitt is working with Watauga Baptist churches to raise money for the food. Volunteers are also needed to help pack and distribute the boxes. "The most rewarding thing of distribution is the family that comes in, and they see that box as if it's a box of gold," says Candy Craig, a volunteer for the program. To donate to the Christmas Box contact Hale Community Ministries at 423-547-2560. To volunteer call Martha Laws at 423-282-5756.