With the holidays just around the corner and high food costs impacting local families, nonprofit Branford Food Pantry (BFP) is hoping to provide at least 250 or more complete holiday meal baskets to assist Branford individuals and families in need.

Established in 1978 and located in the lower level of the Patricia C. Andriole Volunteer Services Center at 30 Harrison Ave., non-profit, all-volunteer BFP provides year ‘round supplemental food support to residents in need, who come by to get their groceries at the site. Each year, thanks to assistance from community contributions, BFP also provides full holiday meal baskets to families in need at Thanksgiving and at holiday time in December.

BFP clients are Branford individuals, seniors, and families. When it comes to those seeking help in putting out their holiday meals, BFP expects to give away at least 250 complete baskets of traditional holiday meal ingredients to Branford folks in need at Thanksgiving, and the same number again at Christmas.

BFP encourages Branford residents facing financial difficulty to request a Thanksgiving meal holiday basket by contacting BFP no later than Friday, Nov. 22 at (203) 481-3663 and leave a message with name, address, phone number and request a turkey or a chicken (for smaller dinners). Regular pantry clients may sign up during their BFP visit. Distribution day is Tuesday, November 26.

BFP gratefully accepts tax-deductible donations online at branfordfoodpantry.org or send checks made out to Branford Food Pantry to P.O. Box 1068, Branford, CT 06405.