Thanksgiving in a Box
Donation protected
**Please take a minute to read all of the updates. I kept the same go fund me page from 2014 so anyone that didn't know about the mission then could see the success we had and read the story from the start. It is kind of confusing having everything on one page so I am sorry for that.
How Thanksgiving in a Box got started…
Within the past few years I have really reflected back on my childhood in regards to the numerous random acts of kindness that my family was blessed to receive. I was raised by a single mom and somehow during our family’s toughest times whatever we needed was always provided. I remember one Thanksgiving when times were really difficult a close family friend showed up unexpected and brought my family Thanksgiving dinner. They did not do this because my mom asked, but because something in their heart encouraged them to do so. At the time I was too young to really understand the magnitude of this kind gesture, but it left such an impact on my life.
When we go through hard times it is human nature to think why me? Or why my family? I know growing up I asked my mom that question numerous times. Her answers varied, but they were always filled with hope and positivity. Without hesitation she always reassured me everything was going to be ok and she was right. However at the age of 29 when I look back and I ask those same questions I find the answers have changed. Yes everything turned out to be ok, but I believe that there was a purpose for our struggle. We had to go through what we went through so that we could end up here and help other families.
In 2013 I started "Thanksgiving in a Box" and with the help of a few family members and friends we were able to obtain enough food for 5 boxes. These boxes contained all the fix ins one would need to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. Each box also included a gift card so the families could purchase a turkey and any other perishable items they would need.
In 2014 I knew that I had to think bigger. As much as my family and friends love to help I knew I had to reach a larger audience. I witnessed numerous go fund me campaigns become a huge success at the time so I decided to take a leap of faith and give it a try. It was scary to put such a personal story out there, but in order to understand why this campaign started my story had to be told. The goal for 2014 was 20 boxes, but we ended up surpassing that goal and donating 24 boxes.
Fast forward to 2016 and I have set my goal at $5000 which means that 50 families could have Thanksgiving dinner this year. Can you imagine? 50 families that are in need as I am typing this could have dinner with their loved ones because of us. 50 sets of parents are promising their children right now that everything is going to be ok and we can make sure of that.
You may wonder where I donate these boxes. Well I choose to donate these boxes to the local schools or at-risk youth programs because I am a firm believer that the type of person you become as an adult is shaped by the experiences you went through in your childhood. If one of these families has a young teenager thinking about going down a wrong path, I hope that our good deed reminds them that what they are going through is just a temporary set back. That everything will get better. I also hope that at least one person is impacted enough to want to pay it forward themselves in the future.
Some people have offered to donate non perishable items and I thank you for that. Unfortunately I do not accept food donations. I am not an official charity so I have to make sure I have receipts for all of the food that is purchased.
My hope is that every year the amount of boxes donated will continue to grow, but I need help to make that happen. I hope after reading about this campaign you will want to donate, spread the word or maybe even be inspired to give back in your own way.
Thank you,
Marissa
#GoBeyondGiving
How Thanksgiving in a Box got started…
Within the past few years I have really reflected back on my childhood in regards to the numerous random acts of kindness that my family was blessed to receive. I was raised by a single mom and somehow during our family’s toughest times whatever we needed was always provided. I remember one Thanksgiving when times were really difficult a close family friend showed up unexpected and brought my family Thanksgiving dinner. They did not do this because my mom asked, but because something in their heart encouraged them to do so. At the time I was too young to really understand the magnitude of this kind gesture, but it left such an impact on my life.
When we go through hard times it is human nature to think why me? Or why my family? I know growing up I asked my mom that question numerous times. Her answers varied, but they were always filled with hope and positivity. Without hesitation she always reassured me everything was going to be ok and she was right. However at the age of 29 when I look back and I ask those same questions I find the answers have changed. Yes everything turned out to be ok, but I believe that there was a purpose for our struggle. We had to go through what we went through so that we could end up here and help other families.
In 2013 I started "Thanksgiving in a Box" and with the help of a few family members and friends we were able to obtain enough food for 5 boxes. These boxes contained all the fix ins one would need to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner. Each box also included a gift card so the families could purchase a turkey and any other perishable items they would need.
In 2014 I knew that I had to think bigger. As much as my family and friends love to help I knew I had to reach a larger audience. I witnessed numerous go fund me campaigns become a huge success at the time so I decided to take a leap of faith and give it a try. It was scary to put such a personal story out there, but in order to understand why this campaign started my story had to be told. The goal for 2014 was 20 boxes, but we ended up surpassing that goal and donating 24 boxes.
Fast forward to 2016 and I have set my goal at $5000 which means that 50 families could have Thanksgiving dinner this year. Can you imagine? 50 families that are in need as I am typing this could have dinner with their loved ones because of us. 50 sets of parents are promising their children right now that everything is going to be ok and we can make sure of that.
You may wonder where I donate these boxes. Well I choose to donate these boxes to the local schools or at-risk youth programs because I am a firm believer that the type of person you become as an adult is shaped by the experiences you went through in your childhood. If one of these families has a young teenager thinking about going down a wrong path, I hope that our good deed reminds them that what they are going through is just a temporary set back. That everything will get better. I also hope that at least one person is impacted enough to want to pay it forward themselves in the future.
Some people have offered to donate non perishable items and I thank you for that. Unfortunately I do not accept food donations. I am not an official charity so I have to make sure I have receipts for all of the food that is purchased.
My hope is that every year the amount of boxes donated will continue to grow, but I need help to make that happen. I hope after reading about this campaign you will want to donate, spread the word or maybe even be inspired to give back in your own way.
Thank you,
Marissa
#GoBeyondGiving
Organizer
Marissa Kachur
Organizer
Center Township, PA