A nourishing meal shared with family and friends and opening presents are holiday traditions that make the season special. However, for many struggling families unsure of how they will be able to afford food, toys and gifts, the holidays can be difficult and stressful times. The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) and its team of volunteers today packed and distributed dinner baskets and gifts for families in Philadelphia and Camden at its 8th annual Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise event held at the Ford Police Athletic League (PAL) in Philadelphia, PA.
Philadelphia Eagles Safety Malcolm Jenkins, Chairman of TMJF, and his teammates personally delivered holiday dinner baskets and gifts to five Philadelphia families. “Of all of the programs the Foundation offers, Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise is among my favorites,” said Jenkins. “Being able to bring joy and cheer to children and families in need means a lot to me, our volunteers and the families,” he added.
TMJF has been making the holidays merrier for families in need since 2011. The program began in New Orleans, LA and was expanded to Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ in 2014 and 2017, respectively. This year TMJF will bring the spirit of giving to 420 families in those cities. Twenty-seven social service organizations in each city identify the most vulnerable families in their population to receive holiday dinner baskets, and toys and gifts.
“I thank the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation for their generosity not only during the holidays but throughout the year,” said Camden Mayor Frank Moran. “Malcom and the Foundation continue to do excellent work here in Camden. The foundation is very community conscious and recognizes the serious needs existing within challenged communities. The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for so many here in Camden. These holiday baskets will make a difference by providing our families with quality food and the nourishment they need,” he added.
“We are blessed to have great partners who help us to make the Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise (HDBS) possible,” said Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, TMJF President & CEO.
HDBS was the focus of The Malcolm Jenkin’s Foundation’s Giving Tuesday Campaign. It is supported by food partners including Unilever and ShopRite & Fresh Grocer Supermarkets operated by the Brown family. Toys and gifts for youth 15 and under were made possible from a city-wide Toy Drive TMJF hosted with PAL at locations including Whole Foods, Steven Singer Jewelers and, local companies and via the Foundation‘s Amazon Wish List..
Each festive holiday dinner basket includes a turkey (11-14lbs), stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, 5-lb bag of potatoes, green beans, cornbread mix, collard greens, rice sides, cheddar and broccoli pasta, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, condensed milk, chicken broth, dinner rolls or bread, assortment of fruit, a baked pie, juice, a turkey roasting pan, utensils and plates.
“ShopRite and Fresh Grocer Supermarkets are proud to partner with the Foundation to bring holiday cheer to families in need,” said Sandy Brown, Director, Brown’s Super Stores.
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is ramping up its programs for 2020 and in June will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary. “We are excited about reaching our 10-year milestone and look forward to the continued generous support from our donors that ensures program sustainability and the development of new endeavors,” said Mrs. Jenkins.
