North Country This Week

POTSDAM -- The coordinator of the interfaith Thanksgiving basket program was “blown away” when high school senior Riley Barrett recently brought over 1,200 food items to St. Mary’s Church .

“We’ve never had that much food collected by any one person, or even a group for that matter,” said Faye Simmons.

The food will go a long way in filling 150 Thanksgiving baskets to area families in need this year.

The Interfaith Committee organizes the annual Thanksgiving baskets, with the combined efforts of St. Mary’s Catholic, United Methodist, and Potsdam Presbyterian Churches, Beth El Congregation, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

“For my senior capstone project, I wanted to give back to my community,” said Barrett.

“Our local food pantries feed hundreds of people all year. I had no idea there were so many people in our own community that benefit from the help of these types of organizations.”

Barrett collected food and monetary donations at Lawrence Avenue Elementary School the first two weeks in November. He planned to reward the classroom with the most donations with popcorn and hot chocolate.

"One generous student donated $45 from her own 'piggy bank' savings account to help provide food for local community members, “ said Susan Barrett, Riley’s mother.

Riley also collected for several hours at Walmart, IGA and Save-a-Lot stores, outside in the snow and rain.

“The community has been very generous to the program, sending food and money,” Faye Simmons said.

Major contributors included Walmart, Potsdam Lions Club, and Donaldson-Seymour Funeral Home. Milk was donated by Stauffer Farms, North Lawrence, and from Kinney Drugs’ customers. Martin’s Farm Stand donated vegetables.

In addition to the five interfaith organizations and Bartlett, the Newman Club collected donations from SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University. Potsdam middle and high schools also conducted food drives for the cause.

The 150 families were to have picked up their baskets on Monday before Thanksgiving. Delivery is provided for those unable to do so.

Barrett volunteered his time and labor in sorting the food in St. Mary’s Church basement, between school and basketball practice. He was also planning to help with carrying the assembled food boxes to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the Friday before Thanksgiving.

“The giving of Thanksgiving baskets started with Sister Mary Grotto, a nun at St. Mary’s School, around 1974. She looked around her classroom with many needy students, and she decided to start the program,” said Simmons.

“Then the program grew and expanded to the larger community with the help of Betty Rowe and Pat Reichart.”

Simmons has been the program organizer since 2016.