Loomis Christmas Basket Program taking donations, applications

The Loomis Christmas Basket and other West Placer holiday programs are taking applications and donations for those in need during the holidays. The 30-plus year-old Loomis Christmas Basket Program last year collected food from 11 Loomis Basin schools for 454 total boxes, or 15,890 pounds of food, officials said. The program also serves families in the greater Loomis Basin communities of Penryn, Newcastle, Ophir and Rocklin. Applications for holiday baskets and toys can be picked up at the First Methodist Church office weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The deadline for postmarked or received Loomis applications is Wednesday, Dec. 1, officials said. Food baskets will be distributed Dec. 10 from 8 a.m. to noon at the First Methodist Church of Loomis, 6414 Brace Road. Applicants must have identification showing a current physical address in the area, managers said. Only one basket per family/household/address, officials said. "We believe there will be a strong need for food and toys this holiday season," said Loomis Christmas Basket official Jennifer Doupnik. "We are fortunate to live in a very giving community that supports this program in numerous ways every year." The program is also seeking donations of non-perishable food and funds. Send a tax-deductible check to LCBP, P.O. Box 687, Loomis, CA 95650. People can also donate time to help fill food boxes on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Methodist Church. The program also needs new and unwrapped toys for all ages. "Teens are especially in need of gifts this year," Doupnik said. New toys can be dropped off at participating Loomis shops, including Ace Hardware, Blue Goose Produce, Bru Coffee house, First Methodist Church and the South Placer Fire Station. The Loomis Basin program serves zip codes 95677, 95663, 95650, 95658 and 95765. Call 916-215-9571 for details. Meanwhile, call 916-783-0481 for the Granite Bay/Roseville area food basket program. For the Foresthill 95631 Christmas basket program, call 530-367-2272 or 367-2222 for details. For the Colfax Christmas basket program, call 530-367-2272 for more information. The Colfax program serves zip codes 95701, 95713, 95714, 95715 and 95717. For the Clipper Gap and Christian Valley 95736 zip code, call 530-637-5359.