Registration begins this Saturday, Dec. 1, for the Ecumenical Council's holiday food baskets

Warwick - People wishing to receive a Christmas food basket and gifts for family members 16 and younger from the Warwick Ecumenical Council may register Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the council’s Food Pantry in the Warwick United Methodist Church at 135 Forester Ave. Registrations also will be taken during pantry hours: Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 is the deadline for registering. Through the council, the community provides the makings of a holiday dinner, gifts for children and the opportunity to purchase presents at reduced prices at the council’s Christmas shop. The program is for Town of Warwick residents. Two proofs of identification and town residency are required. A bill showing name and physical address qualifies; post office box addresses are not acceptable. Farm workers should bring a letter from the school their children attend, an electric bill or a letter from their employer verifying their address. There are two ways for the community to support the program. You may adopt a family and provide baskets and gifts for them, or you may volunteer to help on Dec. 21 when the baskets will be distributed. In recent years, the Ecumenical Council provided Christmas baskets for more than 200 families. To get involved, call 986-4930.