Last year, the “Blessing Baskets” event collected over 150 Thanksgiving baskets to give to those in need. This year, the 3rd annual “Blessing Baskets” event expands with two drop off locations. The first drop off will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m., November 19, at Nina's Pizzeria and Restaurant, located at 32 South Broad Street in Norwich. The second drop off will be from 4 to 7 p.m., November 20, at Sherburne-Earlville elementary school, located at 13 School Street in Sherburne. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — Thanksgiving is a time for giving and blessings. The Parker Walsh Team at Keller Williams Realty, is asking the community to give during this holiday season and fill a food basket to help those in need during their third annual “Blessing Baskets” event.

Blessing Baskets is also expanding with two drop off locations. The first drop off will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m., November 19, at Nina's Pizzeria and Restaurant, located at 32 South Broad Street in Norwich. The event will also provide a kids activity corner with arts and crafts and more and an apple cider bar.

The second drop off will be from 4 to 7 p.m., November 20, at the Sherburne-Earlville elementary school, located at 13 School Street in Sherburne.

“We expanded our event this year to include the Sherburne-Earlville School District after having a conversation with the project manager of the school, who asked if we would consider having a second drop location, and I said, ‘absolutely,” said Gretchen Parker Walsh, Team Leader of the Parker Walsh Team at Keller Williams Realty.

”With SNAP benefits being reduced by half this month, many families across our area are facing difficult choices, some struggling to put daily meals on their tables, let alone a Thanksgiving dinner,” said Walsh.

”We’ve seen firsthand how generous this community can be,” continued Walsh. “Now more than ever, our neighbors need us.”

“When we come together, we can make an incredible impact, one family, one meal at a time. Together, we can be the blessing so many are hoping for this Thanksgiving,” she added.

She noted a laundry basket is the best container to hold and transport items and said they can be decorated or holiday table decorations can be added in the basket.

Items to fill blessing baskets to include the following:

A $20 or $25 gift card to a local grocery store for the purchase of turkey or ham.

Cans of corn, green beans, and cranberry sauce.

Boxes of stuffing and boxes of mashed potatoes.

Jar/packet of gravy & cream of mushroom soup.

A box of muffin/biscuit mix.

Non-perishable dessert.

Any extras could include additional foods, mittens, socks, toiletries, games, laundry detergent and more.

Walsh said their team and the guidance counselors in local schools will gift all baskets to families in need, throughout the school district.

Walsh said they collected over 150 baskets last year and her team is thankful to host this event and thankful to those choosing to participate.

For more information, contact the Parker Walsh team at their website, www.kwupstateny.com/norwich