By LINDA DUNNING

COLTON -- Over 80 families in Parishville, Pierrepont, and Colton who are struggling to try and make ends meet were a little less worried Monday when they received Thanksgiving Day meal preparations, including their turkeys and desserts.

The Two Rivers Ecumenical Council (TREC), consisting of churches from Colton and Parishville, spearheaded the effort, prepared the meal items and either delivered or arranged for people to pick up their feast.

Organizer Judy Aldous worked with the neighborhood centers, churches and word-of-mouth to determine the number of Thanksgiving basket to prepare, sought and received donations and purchased vouchers for turkeys.

The Hideaway, a local Colton eatery, donated potatoes and Martin’s Farm of Potsdam donated turnips and beets. Pies as well as delicious breads were made by the Culinary Arts students and donated by Seaway Tech BOCES.

Although times are very tight in the North Country, people were free with their food donations, time and money to prepare these baskets for those who needed them.

The festive boxes were completed by volunteers from the churches and were ready for pick-up or delivery in time for Thanksgiving Day preparations.

Many thanks are sent to those who volunteered their time to fill the baskets and deliver them along with the support of those who donated through their parish and other food drives.