Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Basket Brigade?

A Basket Brigade is a special kind of Thanksgiving food drive. It raises the opportunity for giving to a personal level. On Saturday, November 22, 2008, Basket Brigade participants will bring donated food items and gather together as a group to create Thanksgiving baskets specially designated for area families in need. Once the baskets are assembled, participants have the opportunity to deliver a basket personally to a person or family who needs one.

Who gets these baskets?

Thanksgiving baskets will be given to individuals and families who - either due to a lot of pride or lack of access - may not take advantage of the food distribution programs available to them in the area. We will identify these families by contacting local schools, churches, homeless and battered women shelters and other charitable organizations.

If you are, or know of, an individual or family in need, please visit our Families in Need page.  We will be sure to deliver a basket especially for them.

Where is this all taking place?

For the second year in a row, Trinity Lutheran Church has graciously offered the use of their facilities for the Brigade.  Trinity Lutheran is located at 1225 Hopyard Road in Pleasanton.

How many baskets will be created?

Our goal this year is to create 200 baskets for needy families, and 100 bags for the homeless.

How can I help?

You can help in many ways. You can:

• Bring food to the Brigade and then stay to help assemble and distribute the baskets. You can also drop your food off on Brigade Day without staying to assemble or deliver.
• Donate money to the Brigade. The Brigade Coordinators will use your money to purchase food to go into the baskets and backpacks.

Can I donate items that don't appear on the Items Needed list?

No. Please bring only items that appear on the list. Our goal is to create 300 identical Thanksgiving baskets and bags containing high quality foods that will provide a beautiful, Thanksgiving meal for a family in need.

I'm not available on Brigade Day, but I'd still like to donate food.

No problem. You can drop off your donation to the Brigade Coordinator's home in San Ramon.  In special circumstances, we may be able to pick up your donation.  Call Katherine Havener at 925-922-7615 to make arrangements.

Can children participate in the Brigade?

Absolutely! This is a family event.  Last year, there were babes in slings, toddlers running around, and elementary and high school students working hard to create Thanksgiving baskets.  This is a great opportunity to teach children the importance of service. 

If my whole family is participating, how should I sign everyone up?

Families can sign up together if they will be delivering together.  On the Name field of the Volunteer form, simply put, e.g. "Jane, John and Baby Jones."

I would like my group to participate. How do we sign up?

This can be done in one of two ways. 1) Each member of the group, individually, can sign up as a volunteer on the Volunteer Page, and then pledge to bring food on the Donate Food page. Or, 2) The group leader can compile a list of each participating group members' names, email addresses, and volunteer wishes (e.g. will the volunteer be assembling and/or delivering baskets) and enter that information into the website.  Then, the group leader can, on the Donate Food page of the website, pledge food items for the entire group (e.g. 50 turkeys). The group leader is responsible for ensuring that the pledged items are brought to the Brigade. Please feel free to contact Katherine and Reese if you have any more questions!

Is my gift tax deductible?

No.  This is a grassroots effort - community supporting community.  We are not set up as a non-profit organization and thus cannot provide a tax id or issue receipts.

Remind me, WHY are we doing this?

This Thanksgiving season, let’s join forces and deliver a message of hope. In a country with so much abundance, there is no reason any family should be without a meal on Thanksgiving. You and I know the meal will last only minutes, but the true gift of sharing is a message of hope that will last a lifetime.

Who is coordinating the Brigade?

Katherine Havener and Mauricio “Reese” Ramos, a husband and wife team. They live in San Ramon with their two young daughters. Katherine is a former attorney now stay at home mom that co-leads the Tri-Valley Chapter of the Holistic Moms Network. Reese works for a company in Livermore as a mediator helping people navigate beyond their conflict.