West Oak Lane Business Association gives Thanksgiving food baskets to the needy

Each Thanksgiving, the West Oak Lane Business Association packages and delivers food baskets to less fortunate members of the neighborhood. On Thursday, WOLBA members met at the West Oak Lane Senior Center to get those baskets for delivery.

Al Dorman, the association’s district manager, came up with the idea to distribute food baskets as a way to “give back to those in need throughout the West Oak Lane community. What started as just five to 10 baskets [has grown] to 20.”

Said Brian Madalion about the association of which he’s a member, “Our mission is to help grow and sustain the businesses of West Oak Lane while empowering the community, so this is one of the ways we give back.”

Among the items placed in the baskets were 16-pound turkeys, canned yams, carrots, corn, green beans, macaroni & cheese, fruit, stuffing, pies and more. Locally grown items from Lancaster such as collard greens, mustards and kale that were delivered with the baskets as well on behalf of the Food Trust.

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Once all baskets were filled, Dorman loaded them into his truck and delivered them to residents who notified him that they were in need.

“It’s dear to me seeing people’s facial expressions when I deliver the baskets to their home,” Dorman said. “We hope to continue the food baskets until there is no need for them.”

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