Third Step: Create bountiful gift baskets of food
Make it a party!
On the day of your Basket Brigade, have all volunteers come together as a group to put together and decorate their baskets.
Make your baskets truly wonderful. Decorate them beautifully with ribbons, bows and more.use your imagination. Fill them with a combination of delicious goodies and practical items. Provide nourishment for the spirit by including Tony Robbins' book, Notes from a Friend. Your basket should convey that it is a gift, not a handout; a present, not charity! Stay away from all used items.
For copies of Notes from a Friend to include in your baskets, Coordinators should submit a completed Materials Request Form . Supplies are limited, so please make your requests early.
Each basket is delivered with the message:
"This comes to you from someone who cares about you. All we ask is that you take care of yourself well enough to be able to do this for someone else someday." |
If you are going to deliver baskets in a non-English speaking area, make sure that the Basket Brigade message is translated into your recipient's language.
Click here for a print-ready version of this message in English and Spanish.
Here are some basic items you may consider including in your baskets, but the possibilities are unlimited.
The Family Basket
Turkey, ham, roast beef |
Toys |
Bread |
Books |
Canned fruit |
Blankets |
Canned vegetables |
Clothing |
Canned gravy |
Paper products |
Fruit juices |
Laundry products |
Canned soups |
Soaps & lotions |
Fresh fruit |
Cookies, cakes or pies |
The Homeless Bag or Backpack
Cooked, sliced turkey or ham |
Clothing |
Bread |
Can openers |
Fruit juices |
Matches |
Fresh fruit |
Flashlights |
Peanut butter & jelly |
Socks & mittens |
Cookies, cakes or pies |
Paper products |
Blankets |
Soaps & lotions |
Vegetarian Note: There may appear to be an element of incongruity about an organization that supports animal rights distributing turkey, hams and roast beef on Thanksgiving. But here's how Tony views it: the Basket Brigade is about reaching out, providing help and demonstrating the gift of possibility. It's about fulfilling emotional needs and providing a Thanksgiving dinner that will not be forgotten - ever. It's not a time to promote a philosophy no matter how important it may be, and it will only make the recipients of our baskets feel that something is missing from their Thanksgiving. However, if you're still not comfortable with providing meat as a part of the meal, we encourage you to fill your basket with other store-bought goodies such as vegetable stew, vegetarian chili, pastas, salads, and whatever other vegetarian delights you can find.
Next Step: Delivering the gift basket |
