The distribution of the Good Samaritan Ministries’ Christmas Boxes will be a little different this year as GSM continues the curbside delivery option that it began in March. As of Nov. 30, GSM will require masks for all those who enter the building and this will be strictly enforced due to the rising number of cases of COVID-19 in Brown County.
“In response to the growing number of COVID cases we feel like that’s the safest model,” said GSM Executive Director Leesa Stephens. “We’ve done this before; it will in no way limit what we’re trying to do. We just want to keep people safe. Clients who wish to avoid crowds should not come at the opening of business but wait a couple of hours until things slow down.”
Christmas Boxes can be picked up Dec. 1-23. GSM is open Monday and Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Families that come during the month of December to get their regular monthly grocery staples will also get a Christmas box that contains a turkey, sugar, flour, eggs, and all of the items to make a traditional Christmas dinner,” Stephens said. “We can enroll new households in December. You must be a Brown County resident and bring a current proof of address such as a utility bill or rent receipt.”
The GSM Resale Store, open the third Saturday of each month, will be open to the public this Saturday, Nov. 21 and again on Saturday, Dec. 19. Capacity will be limited to 50 percent.
Stephens also provided an update on the Deer Project, which has added a sixth processor – Perks, located at 5100 FM 2126 in Brownwood, which joins Lone Star Taxidermy and Wild Game Processing in Owens, M&M Deer Processing in Zephyr, Santa Anna Custom Processing, FullDraw Legends Processing in Rising Star, and Potter’s Taxidermy and Wildgame Processing Cross Plains.
“The Deer Project is off to a great start, we’ve already picked up about
2,500 pounds of processed venison and deer season’s just been going on for a couple of weeks,” Stephens said. “Not everyone is a hunter but people recognize the good that this program does by providing lean protein for Brown County families in need so if you don’t like to hunt, you can still donate to cover processing costs.”
GSM is also gearing up #GivingTuesday, which falls on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which is Dec. 1 this year.
“#GivingTuesday is a national day of giving and it’s to encourage people to think about giving to nonprofits and charities,” Stephens said. “This year probably more than any other year there’s a lot of organizations that need that. This is a year if you’re thinking you really want to help, #GivingTuesday would be a great opportunity. You can call here, you can mail in your donation to P.O. Box 1136, Brownwood, TX 76804 or we encourage to give online at our website, goodsambwd.org. All donations to Good Samaritan are also tax deductible.”