Christmas comes early for families

Over 50 families received an early Christmas present as they were given a box full of food.

The Shafter Kiwanis Club organized the event and were assisted by volunteers and other organizations that came together to help the community.

Phillip Jimenez, district manager of the Shafter Recreation and Park District, and his crew helped prepare the boxes.

The boxes contained beans, rice, canned goods, as well as potatoes and other items going toward a holiday meal and helping the families through the season.

The families were selected with the help of Shafter's Healthy Start organization, who provided the names of those in need in the community.

Jimenez said that it was a great time for him and his organization.

"We were happy to be a blessing to these families," said Jimenez. "It was a community effort with everyone coming together as a community."

Jimenez was thankful to be a part of this event. During the Recreation Department's Thankful Thursday event, which gave families Thanksgiving ingredients for a holiday meal, Jimenez was sidelined after being diagnosed with covid-19, forcing him to miss the event.

"It was tough not being able to be there for the event. But, it was such a huge success that we are planning on having another Thankful Thursday event next year," he said.