Published: December 09, 2008 12:59 am      

Welfare League has only 13 food basket sponsors

Lebanon — Sue Ellen Muncie predicted in late November more people than ever would ask to participate in the Lebanon Welfare League’s annual Christmas Basket Program.

She was right — but there’s bad news for the 71-year-old food basket program organized by Kappa Delta Phi sorority.

Sponsors have been found for only 13 families, Muncie said Monday. Last year, food baskets were given to about 400 families. This year, at least 270 persons are already on the basket list.

The number of families registering “is going to go way over” last year, Muncie said.

“We’re just not getting any sponsors,” Muncie said. “And we’re not getting any monetary donations at all.”

She anticipated this year would be “very difficult,” but Muncie is surprised and concerned by the lack of food basket backers.

“Right now, it’s very scary,” she said.

Churches and organizations that have helped in the past are not participating this year, she said. Churches are probably helping members of their congregations, she said.

Needy families may register with The Caring Center at (765) 482-2020, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 9 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of the month.

To sponsor a family, call Muncie at (765) 482-3299; financial contributions may be mailed to the Lebanon Welfare League, c/o Lamar & Lamar, 120 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon IN 46052.