Giving out 691 free baskets of food may seem like a lot. For Pastor Jeff Cremeans and the City Mission in Ironton, however, it is just an average number.

“Last year we gave out over 700, which is a record,” Cremeans said. “What is really amazing is when you realize there are so many other churches, agencies and organizations giving out food, too, giving out 691 baskets shows the amount of needy people in our area.”

City Mission also gave toys to 1,943 Lawrence County children. All food and toys were donated or purchased with donated money.

Putting together so many baskets was a large undertaking that required the use of many volunteers.

“At one point I counted 85 volunteers,” Cremeans said. “It was great to see so many people working together.”

Employees from Wendy’s restaurant in Ironton and Coal Grove, members of Rubyville Community Church, Campbell Chapel and other churches along with area residents comprised the volunteers. Baskets included a variety of vegetables, canned meat, turkey, a loaf of bread, crackers, cereal, instant mashed potatoes, stuffing, canned fruit, macaroni and cheese and “other odds and ends” that were available, Cremeans said.