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NOVINGER, MO -- A local non-profit organization will once again provide gift baskets for needy families.

Wednesday evening Novinger Renewal began packing baskets at the Novinger Community Center. The baskets will help feed at least 40 families in the western Adair County Area.

All the canned goods and non perishable items were donated by local schools, churches and individuals.

The Kirksville Kraft Foods company made significant contributions of food for the baskets.

One of the organizers, David Novinger with Novinger Renewal, said the need to help came after realizing many families in the area go without during the holiday season.

"We like to do it because some don't have anything for Christmas, or Christmas dinner," said Novinger. "When the kids are off for Christmas break, it is good to have extra food in the house when the parents are at work. The kids can have something when they don't have their school lunches to fall back on, so it helps with that a lot."

Novinger Renewal has been putting these baskets together for the past 5 years. When they first started the project, they were only feeding about ten families, and organizers say it's been growing ever since.

The baskets will be delivered Saturday, December 15th.