Variety of Memphis

Variety of Memphis holds one of its largest “Future Kids” projects for the community during Christmas. Several members arrive early to cook breakfast for all volunteers who in return are preparing to unload a truck with all of the food items to be distributed that day. The items include a turkey, vegetables, fruit, crackers, peanut butter and a dessert. This basket will feed a family for almost a week.

All items are unboxed, separated and set up assembly style so we can quickly serve the food baskets to the less fortunate families of the Memphis area. These families are selected through the Department of Human Services, local churches and from members who may know of someone in need.

The distribution of these baskets goes to approximately 1200 children who are in need of a meal on a daily basis. We have been fortunate (unfortunate) to see some of the same families each year. The only thing we know when we do see these families come through our food line is we know they will have been fed for a few days and have had a nutritious meal.

Variety members work hard to make this a special time for these families and when the cars come through with children in them they hand out the baskets and before the car pulls away we hand out stuffed animals to the kids. Sometimes if someone is willing we will have a member dress up as Santa to hand out the gifts to the kids.

This is a rewarding experience for the members who faithfully show up during any kind of weather to support the less fortunate of Memphis.