Among supporters of the Good Cheer Fund, the Christmas spirit has been strong so far this year.
Local residents have sent in an unprecedented amount of donations already. More than $26,000 had been contributed to the fund by Thursday.
The annual Jim Rhoades Memorial Hog Roast, which splits its proceeds between the Good Cheer Fund and the Interchurch Food Pantry, served so many people they ran out of food.
In a dreary year, the generosity has been a bright spot this holiday season. But much remains to be done, said Jacob Sappenfield, chairman of the Good Cheer Fund.
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"We’re counting on more people to continue to donate who normally donate this time of year. But where we are, I think we’re on track," he said.
Organizers are preparing for the delivery of more than 800 baskets of food, which will be distributed Dec. 19 throughout the county. Ham, milk, eggs, cheese and other items have been ordered and will be pre-packaged by volunteers this week.
With the outpouring of support from the community, the Good Cheer Fund has the opportunity to help thousands of people who are struggling this year, as well as be well-prepared to attack food hunger moving forward.
"We really want to make sure we’re in good shape this year, and then be good heading into next year," Sappenfield said.
The Good Cheer Fund is an annual charity drive raising money and food to help the hungry during the holiday season, founded in 1921 by Austin Flinn, a local funeral home owner, and the Franklin Evening Star.
Organizers select 360 families in Franklin, Bargersville and Trafalgar to receive baskets, while 240 baskets go to Greenwood and the Center Grove area, and about 200 are delivered in Edinburgh and Nineveh.
Donations from the community are used to buy fresh food, such as produce, potatoes, meat, cheese and milk, as well as additional items to ensure families have food to eat for days after Christmas.
So far, $26,847 has been contributed to the fund. On Dec. 10 last year, donations were only at about $6,000.
A major part of the yearly Good Cheer Fund giving is coupled with the proceeds from the Jim Rhoades hog roast, which helps lay the foundation for the coming year’s food distribution.
In a normal year, the hog roast generates more than $35,000. But the ongoing pandemic forced this year’s event to be a drive-through lunch, and the Rotary Club was uncertain what the turnout would be.
Those fears turned out to be unfounded.
Before the meal even started, more than 100 cars were lined up ready to donate and pick up pulled pork, fried chicken, pork chops and other goodies provided by Malone’s Catering and Indian Creek FFA.
Food ran out about an hour into the event, which had never happened in the past. An estimated 800 people took part, raising more than $44,000 for Good Cheer and the Interchurch Food Pantry, said Eric Leugers, who chairs the event for the Franklin Rotary Club. The previous fundraising record, set last year, was $38,000.
"It goes to show how tight of a community we have here," he said. "When fellow Johnson County citizens are in need, people are more than happy to step up."
While giving has been emphasized throughout Johnson County, the unusual pandemic year has required more diligence to ensure people who need help are applying for a food basket, Sappenfield said. Organizers are still planning to distribute more than 800 baskets, though where those baskets go in the county may be adjusted based on the need.
He has worked with schools, social service agencies and trustees offices to collect applications, but those entities haven’t had as much contact with students and clients as they would in a normal year.
"I’ve reached out to senior services, the school contacts a couple times this week even, to make sure we have all of the applications they’ve collected," Sappenfield said.
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What: Good Cheer Fund, an annual effort to pass out holiday food baskets to the needy throughout Johnson County. Baskets include a mix of nonperishable foods and fresh items, such as a ham or chicken, eggs, milk and cheese.
How many: About 800 baskets
Distribution: 360 baskets will go to the Franklin, Trafalgar and Bargersville areas; 240 will go to Greenwood and the northern part of the county; and 200 will go to the Edinburgh area.
How to give: Monetary donations will be accepted until the end of December. Donations can be mailed to the Daily Journal, P.O. Box 699, Franklin, IN 46131.
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