Matt Wotton and Mike Blanchet unloat a truck full of items for the food baskets. FRANKLIN COUNTY — The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce once again exceeded its goal of providing a holiday meal with many extras to 50 families —this year with a final count of 73 families in Franklin County being recipients of the Chamber's Holiday Food Basket Program.

"Once you know there is a need, you feel responsible to respond," said the Chamber's Executive Director, Lorna Nichols recently. The chamber set up its holiday food basket headquarters in the former Mt. View Chocolate Shop location in Farmington where the food boxes were sorted and tagged by town —ready for delivery. This is the future home of the chamber's new Visitor's Center.

"The feeling you get when you see a grown man accept this gift at his door with tears in his eyes or the hugs and disbelief of 'how did you know we needed this?' from an older couple on a fixed income —you know money doesn't buy that, knowing our communities have pulled together to do the right thing by helping our neighbors in need."

"Many folks really stepped up this year with donations being received from many individuals and businesses in the communities we serve, as well as from individuals out of state," Nichols said.

The Chamber seeks donations of food and monetary contributions each November and early December in preparation for this community service project —but monetary contributions can be made anytime to the chamber; simply include a note designating those funds for the Holiday Food Basket Program.

Last year's project was very successful but the chamber knew this year would be more difficult for many and set the goal for 2008 at 50 families. "I thought I may be stretching it a bit to be able to help so many —but one should never underestimate the generosity when folks know of the need. I still cannot believe we were able to help 73 families!" Nichols shared.

Each family received a turkey, canned or fresh ham, stuffing, gravy, carrots, cranberry jelly, potatoes, canned vegetables, rice, peanut butter, jelly, rolls, pie, cool whip, bread, marshmallow fluff, cereal, oranges, apples, tuna, soup, pasta, spaghetti sauce, brownie mix, sugar, flour, hot chocolate, SpaghettiO's, sweet pickles, candy canes and more.

The food gift boxes are distributed to families throughout the greater Franklin County area by members of the chamber and its board of directors before Christmas for each family to enjoy.