For the 22nd consecutive year, RDA and numerous members of the Rosedale community joined forces on Rosedale's Feed-a-Family program to provide Thanksgiving gift baskets to 22 families and senior citizens (81 total individual persons) in need of assistance this year. The gift baskets will provide food and other household items so that these Rosedale residents can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.

Throughout the first half of November, RDA served as a collection site for donations of non-perishable foods and household products, such as soap, shampoo, and toilet paper. Neighborhood groups, churches, businesses, schools, and others brought in items.

Thanks to sizable monetary contributions, RDA then purchased perishable food items for each gift basket, such as milk, eggs, butter, and bread. RDA secured eight turkeys from Harvesters, the Kansas City area's community food bank. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gave $500 worth of commodities to the program, as well.

On Nov. 16, volunteers from the Catholic Young Adults Service Club (CYASC) helped sort, organize, and place all of the donations into baskets. The next day, on Nov. 17, some families picked up their baskets at the RDA office, while RDA delivered directly to the homes of others.

Beneficiaries for the program were referred by local schools, churches, and neighborhood groups. RDA staff then screened the referrals and determined the specific needs of each family.

Once again this year, the Rosedale community came through with a significant amount of donations. It is really a testament to the strength and vitality of Rosedale that so many people and organizations are willing to help their neighbors through this program.

To everyone who contributed, thank you so much for your generosity and compassion in making it possible for RDA to assist 22 families and provide them with needed groceries and household items for Thanksgiving.

The families wish to express their gratitude, as well.

The following persons and organizations contributed to the program:

• Catholic Young Adults Service Club
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Rainbow Mennonite Church
• 3 Axis
• Clinical Laboratory Sciences Association
• Damage Control & Restoration
• John Rohrer Contracting Co.
• KC Winnelson
• KU Police - F.O.P. Lodge No. 37
• Millam Ditching
• Myrna Corpeny
• Donna & Pat Devine
• Helen Edwards
• Gary Hughes
• Virginia Hughes
• Carol Kane
• Jeff Lysinger
• Cliff & Becky Mercile
• Pat Milburn
• Geoffrey & Joyce Patterson
• Jim & Lola Turley
• Wilma Trial
• John & Linda Wright
• AND many more not listed!