105 turkey breasts. 80 whole turkeys. 480 pounds of green beans. 3,180 candy canes.

That’s just a fraction of the food packaged up last week by volunteers from Needy Basket, Tipp City’s hometown food pantry. The volunteers’ goal? Gather everything needed for a full Christmas dinner — plus breakfast and snacks — into one box. Then prepare to hand them out to 260 families from across Miami County.

“This year, we’re serving the highest number of families we ever have,” says Leah Horstman, Needy Basket secretary. “And we’re handing out the largest amount of food ever.”

We shouldn’t be surprised. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau show an 11% poverty rate in Miami County, with 18.6% of those in poverty being under 18.

In addition, “families are stressed due to the higher food prices,” says Needy Basket chairman Jim Sommer. In 2022, food prices increased 9.9%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. In 2023, prices jumped another 5.8%.

Needy Basket’s doing what it can to help, with folks from across Tipp City pitching in. “We had 747 pounds of food collected from Tipp High School alone,” says Horstman, “as well as 104 pounds collected at Community Services’ ‘Breakfast With Santa’ event. The Boy Scouts and the Post Office brought us food from their food drives. And Meijer donated entire skids of food.”

Hundreds of individuals also donate financially, helping Needy Basket purchase all the other items needed for a well-rounded holiday meal: green beans, corn, and peas; potatoes and gravy; peaches, mixed fruit, and cookies. The food will be distributed via a drive-through window at Needy Basket on December 15 and 16. All families receiving food have been pre-approved to receive their donation.

In addition to food, every family with children will receive a toy for kids 10 and under, and a Visa gift card for kids 11 and up. “This is the most important part of the program,” says Sommer. “Ensuring that the children in these families are able to have a fun Christmas.”

Toy Chairman Marilyn McClurg agrees. “I’ve been organizing the toy program for 15 years,” she says. “Usually, we have about 150 kids we are buying for. This year, there are 207. The need is tremendous.”

One of Needy Basket’s newest volunteers is Mike Etter. Loading canned goods into boxes is a change of pace for him; just a few months ago, he wrapped up a 15-year stint as police chief for the Dayton Airport. That followed a nearly 30-year run with the Trotwood Police Department, where he also served as chief.

“There are great people working behind the scenes here,” says Etter. “Compared to what I used to do, stocking shelves and filling up boxes is relaxing. And we’re helping people.”

Paula Kelly, another helper, has been with Needy Basket since 2019. “I like to volunteer,” she says. “It’s my duty. I want to give back to the community. For many years we have worked and don’t always have the opportunity to do that. When I retired in 2019, I walked right into Needy Basket. I’ve been here ever since.”

In total, Needy Basket will distribute 7,000 pounds of food this December. That’s eleven 4-by-3-foot wooden skids, each loaded with 36 large cardboard boxes full of food and toys.

Is it more than Santa delivers? Maybe not. But for families in Miami County, it’s just as meaningful. 

Needy Basket is located at 330 South 5th Street in Tipp City. Volunteers, as well as donations of food and money, are welcome year-round. To learn more, go to www.needybasket.org/