Ninety-two specially prepared baskets of food for the second annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Program were shipped on Thursday, November 19th, 1998 from Curtis Orchards near Angola, Indiana. By Friday, calls were already being received to the ITA offices and to the Board of Directors thanking the association for their generosity.
The program again invited one elementary school from each Indiana county to participate in the program. Each school supplied the name of a family within their school system who was struggling during the holiday season due to family illness, loss of job or housing, or other personal trauma.
The baskets, valued at approximately $100, contained a canned ham, vegetables, noodles, pasta, bread and dessert mixes, along with various sauces and even candy for the children. They were designed to feed a family of 4-6.
United Parcel Service provided pick up at the site and were assisted by ITA member, Master Trooper Rick Lewis of Angola and Master Trooper Rodger Popplewel, Media Coordinator for District 22 of the Indiana State Police. Members of the Corporate and Administrative staff of the association, along with local media representatives were on hand for the special holiday shipment.
With the success of the first program in 1997, the association has made the food basket project a regular part of their mission in lending a helping hand to those in need.