As it has for more than 30 years, the community of Columbia will lend a hand to those in need this Christmas season. The annual Christmas Food Box Delivery will take place on Sunday, Dec. 19. The effort is organized by the Columbia Lions Club and Sunsnappers, and aid is also provided by area businesses and organizations and hundreds of volunteers.

Each year, hundreds of boxes are packed with essential holiday dinner items and additional grocery staples. Each box contains a turkey, bread, milk, canned vegetables, cereals, and more.

The method of packing the food boxes will be determined closer to the event to adhere to current COVID guidelines. Organizers will need many drivers to deliver the boxes on Dec. 19. Volunteer drivers should arrive at 11 a.m. at the Columbia Borough Fire Department, 726 Manor St., Columbia, where they will be directed to line up for the touchless delivery system.

Toys will no longer be delivered with the food boxes. Organizers encourage families to sign up for Toys for Toys or contact Hands Across the Street for toys.

Organizers anticipate that 600 boxes will be packed and delivered to families in Columbia and the surrounding areas with ZIP codes 17512, 17547, 17368, 17554, 17582, 17575, and 17538. Families that need a Christmas food box can register by emailing ColumbiaChristmasFoodBoxes@gmail.com or calling 717-715-3592. Email contact is preferred to ensure accuracy. The deadline to register is Friday, Dec. 3, and early registration is encouraged.

The organizations will deliver a Christmas dinner on Sunday, Dec. 26, to residents of local senior apartments - such as Trinity House, St. Peters Apartments, Our Home of Hope, Marietta Senior Apartments, Brereton Manor, Sylvan Retreat, Faith Friendship, and Hershey Mill Home - in lieu of a food box. The meals will be prepared by Foresters of America and then delivered by members of the Columbia Lions Club and Sunsnappers as well as other community volunteers. Sign-up sheets will be posted in the senior facilities so that residents can reserve a meal.

Businesses, organizations, and individuals may provide monetary donations to help purchase food. For information on donating by mail, contact the aforementioned phone number or email address.

Community members may search for "Columbia Christmas Food Boxes" on Facebook for updates.