The Jim Thorpe American Legion Dolon Jones Martino Post 304 Auxiliary held its first food giveaway for eleven veterans and their families from the Jim Thorpe area.

“We knew times were a little tough with the prices and everything and we wanted to help our veterans,” Auxiliary member Michele Welteroth said.

“We do a lot of fundraising throughout the year, and this is one of our ways of helping our veterans.”

Welteroth, Lauren Holland, Lori Funk, and Kelly Newton prepared the boxes of food and distributed them to the families as they arrived. Delivery was also available if any of the families needed it.

Each family received a full-size frozen turkey, and the box contained all the sides and fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner, along with a pumpkin pie. They also included a card thanking each veteran for their service.

“This is just one way of us reaching out and helping people,” Welteroth said. “All of our money that we raise from fundraising goes right back out to our veterans, our community. We do scholarships, we do Trees for Troops, fishing derbies for the special needs. There’s little different things that we like to give out throughout the year. So all our fundraising money goes right back out.”

The auxiliary is also taking donations for their next event, Trees for Troops.

“We make a donation every year. Whatever we give, our American Legion will match us. And then we go to Yenser’s and we present that on Dec. 2. Everybody gives their checks and their donations, and then the trees go to the troops, wherever they’re stationed.”