The Cambridge Fire Department is once again launching their annual Basket Fund campaign, a community tradition dating back more than a century that helps local families in need during the holiday season.
Since 1921, the campaign has provided thousands of households of three or more with food, gifts and a traditional Christmas meal. The initiative is run by about 150 members of the Cambridge Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (CPFFA), along with community donors and volunteers who help assemble and distribute baskets.
This year, the goal is to hand out approximately 300 baskets.
“We try to give two to three meals per hamper, and we target any lower income families or families on disability that don’t have a means to buy groceries over Christmas,” said firefighter Brad Wickens. “We provide a frozen turkey and then there’s eggs, bacon, bread, whatever kind of nonperishable that we get, and more. We try to keep them all consistent and the same, and it just helps them stock the pantry a little bit and also have a meal over Christmas.”
Fire officials said the program relies heavily on the dedication of firefighters, their families and volunteers to meet the growing need each year.
“On [Dec.] 19th, we get all of our food brought in and it’s quite the assembly line of how we pack all the hampers together,” Wickens explained. “And then [Dec.] 20th, the recipients come and pick it up, and you have an assembly line coming through.”
Residents seeking assistance can register through the Christmas Support website. More information on how to donate or volunteer can be found on the CPFFA’s website.