Nearly a hundred Duncanville ISD families received donations from the Panther Pantry this Thanksgiving season. Thanks to generous donations, 79 students received either a Jacket, Hoodie, and/or Underwear and 17 families received a Thanksgiving dinner in a bag.
Friday, November 15, was the second annual Jacket, Hoodie, and Underwear Giveaway. 79 students were served through this initiative, ensuring they were well-prepared for the colder months.
To ensure that students have warmth and comfort this Fall, students received ten pairs of new underwear, along with a coat and/or hoodie, depending on availability. Taking care of needs like these aids students in being able to focus in the classroom during the colder months of the school year and not be distracted by being cold and uncomfortable.
Rhonda Cole, Social Worker, standing with donated items.
The Duncanville ISD Board of Trustees led the effort by donating jackets through their yearly coat drive, which raises donations to purchase coats. Duncanville's First Christian Church contributed hundreds of gently used hoodies for the second year. Also, the national non-profit organization, 'Undies for Everyone' generously donated an incredible 7,000 pairs of new underwear.
"We have families on tight incomes, and they appreciate the support of the Panther Pantry for food, hygiene, and clothing," said the district's Social Worker, Rhonda Cole. Cole is in constant contact with students whose parents need assistance with their needs.
Duncanville's First Christian Church contributed hundreds of gently used hoodies.
"The Jacket, Hoodie, and Underwear giveaway is helpful for a lot of families because getting jackets and underwear for their kids frees up their money to pay bills. Some families have several children who have outgrown their winter jackets from last year and buying new jackets for all their children would be very costly. Being able to get these items for free is a real blessing to many."
One parent, hit with a loss of income, was overwhelmed by the generosity of the D'Ville community. "I thought it would be just a small gift, but this is a great gift. Since I lost my job, I have not celebrated a holiday, even Christmas."
A few days after the coat drive, the non-profit organization The Drifters Inc.'s DFW Chapter donated 17 Thanksgiving bags. Bags were filled with primarily non-perishable goods like corn, green beans, boxes of stuffing, and other items traditionally served at Thanksgiving dinner. Also, a $25 gift card was put in each bag for families to purchase a turkey. The donation was very unexpected, but just in time to help families. "I was blown away by the Drifters group's offer to provide the fixings and turkeys for 17 Thanksgiving meals for families in the Duncanville district," said Cole.
Drifters assembling Thanksgiving Bags
In years past, this organization hasn't given to Duncanville ISD. Wanting to bestow dinners to new recipients, a couple of members suggested Duncanville ISD students. The members all agreed that the district's families would be perfect beneficiaries to whom they could give dinners and donations, so they contacted the Student Services department, who referred the group to Cole.
"The Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the National Drifters Inc. is elated to have served Duncanville families this blessing of Thanksgiving," expressed President April Spigner. "We pray that the families who are receiving our gifts will be as pleased with them as we are in giving them,"
For Cole, this surprise gift came right on time. "We have a lot of families who were not going to be able to make a Thanksgiving dinner due to their tight finances. This is a true Thanksgiving blessing to these families."
The group came to the pantry with the items, formed an assembly line, and spent an afternoon assembling the bags for families. Once everything was done, Cole distributed bags to families the week before Thanksgiving break.
One grandmother was doing her best to keep her family together and wondering how she would make Thanksgiving happen. It took a load off receiving the gift of a holiday dinner. "I'm a thankful grandmother. Being a single grandmother of four growing children is stressful at times, and knowing someone cares enough to help lift some of the weight off my shoulders is just what's needed at any time of the year."
The imprint of aid, specifically of Duncanville ISD students, is deeply engraved on the hearts benefiting. Families rest a bit easier when essential needs such as a coat or dinner are taken care of.