Helping families to experience the joy of food on the table and sharing the spirit of the holidays is the goal of the 20th annual “Stuff a Truck” event here in Athens, on Saturday, Nov. 16.

This Athens community tradition started in 2004 when longtime residents Al and Lanell Wassum were vacationing in Virginia. There they saw the “Stuff a Truck” idea on the news, and they knew then that the spirit of the event would be a perfect fit for the Athens Limestone County community.

Soon Wassum’s idea became a reality, and with the sponsorship of the Athens First Methodist Church and the support of other community backers such as the late Ida Terry and the Limestone County Churches Involved (LCCI), the event is now an annual event that local families depend on.

“Mom would be thrilled to see that it is still going strong all these years later and helping so many people in our community,” Missy Wassum Greenhaw, daughter of Lanell Wassum, said. Missy added that “the success of the event is due to the kind of giving people we have in our community.”

On Saturday, this year’s “Stuff a Truck” will be in its familiar location at the First National Bank on the corner of US 72 and Lindsey Lane here in Athens. A trailer marked just for the occasion will be waiting for donors to pull up and have volunteers help to unload cars.

Chairman for this year’s event and Athens First Methodist Church member Anne Carter said, “Non-perishable items are preferred. On the list of most-needed are canned meats, canned vegetables, boxed potatoes, stuffing mixes, and items for the holiday table.” She also added that all other canned foods are welcomed, as are household items such as dish soap, laundry detergent, and any hygiene products.

“Stuff a Truck” items will be sorted out over the coming weeks at the LCCI location in downtown Athens, known to many as the “Food Bank.” At LCCI, families who are struggling to meet their food needs this holiday season will be provided a bag of food with items that create the basis for a good hot holiday meal. Families may obtain bags during the five days of the week the LCCI office is open from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

While the food drive is only on one day, residents who want to support the holiday food effort may bring items or monetary donations to the LCCI office. If you have any questions, please call Athens First Methodist Church at (256)232-2020.