BASALT – When you’re shopping for a Thanksgiving turkey this weekend, make it a double.

The organizers of a program that provides a Thanksgiving care package to midvalley families facing tough times will collect food at the Basalt-El Jebel City Market this weekend.

The Basalt Cares program collects food related to a Thanksgiving feast, then recruits volunteers to distribute the boxes of goodies. The food will be collected at City Market by students in the Basalt High School Key Club on Saturday and Sunday. Exact hours weren’t available Thursday, but the kids are typically there from midmorning to late afternoon, said Basalt Cares organizer Cindy Wilson.

“If we can get the turkeys donated that will be real helpful,” she said. They are also looking for fruit, vegetables, stuffing mix, brownie or cake mixes and anything else related to Thanksgiving dinner.

“We never get enough fruit,” Wilson said.

Basalt Cub Scout Troop 242 has already collected some of the food that will go in the Thanksgiving boxes.

Basalt Cares worked with Eagle County Social Services to identify families that could use the help.

“In the past, there were 90-some boxes delivered,” Wilson said.

The donated food will be stored and sorted at the Basalt Community United Methodist Church next week. Volunteers are needed at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, to fill a box or boxes, and deliver them to the families on the list. Volunteers for the distribution can just show up at 0167 Holland Hills Road on Wednesday to help.

Financial donations are always welcome from people who cannot contribute food. The money will be used to buy any additional food that is required. Remaining funds will be used to buy gift cards to City Market for distribution to the needy at Christmastime, according to Wilson.

Checks can be sent to Basalt Cares, P.O. Box 1159, Basalt, CO 81621.

Questions about the effort can be directed to Cindy Wilson at (970) 379-7523 or e-mailed to cindyw23@comcast.net.

scondon@aspentimes.com