The need in Davis is larger than you would expect. Last year we gave out nearly 400 holiday gift boxes. The rest of the year we operate Yolo Countywide, and when you take into account the outlying areas, we serve a lot of people. Local businesses, Scout troops, service clubs, university departments and families sign up to make the holidays happier for their assigned family. The participants receive a sheet listing the ages, genders and other important information about their recipients to help with gift selection, as well as a list of food to complete the holiday basket.
Food includes staples like bread, eggs, cereal, vegetables and canned fruit.
Donors also are asked to include a check for the purchase of meat. Gifts might include gift certificates to movies and local stores, video games, craft kits, sports equipment, dolls, art kits, puzzles or action figures. Community members who don't have the means to adopt an entire family can still get into the giving spirit. Food collection barrels will be available at the Davis Food Co-op, State Market, Nugget Market on Covell, Roundtable Pizza and at both Longs Drug Stores. Giving Trees decorated with gift suggestions can be found at The Avid Reader for Young Readers and at Davis Ace Hardware.