It’s been a tradition for 20 years.
This year was no different when Raymond James donated 568 pounds of food Dec. 9 to Loaves & Fishes for its Fremont County Community Holiday Outreach.
About 250 clients attended the Christmas party at the Abbey, where they enjoyed a meal and dropped off food for the project.
Mike Morton, AAMS, registered principal and registered advisor representative in the Cañon City office of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. was involved in the project for 13 years in Dodge City, Kan., and 20 years in Cañon City
“This is all for Loaves & Fishes,” he said. “We do this to say thanks to the clients, and they do it to say thanks to Loaves & Fishes, but it’s been 20 years in a row.”Loaves & Fishes executive director Don Farr said he appreciated the support.
“It’ll come in handy right now,” he said.
Originally, the Morton family cooked the food and hosted the party at the office. When it outgrew itself, he moved it to the fellowship hall at a church before moving it to the Abbey, where it has remained since then. At first, the family catered all the food. Through the years, his wife, Sally, has baked 100 dozen cookies and desserts every year.
“She’s done that every year, which means 24,000 cookies over the years,” Morton said.
He said it took 10 days of baking to get it done, but it has become a tradition the family does not want to give up.
Farr said it was a big help to the center.
It started with a handful of items, but it has expanded to a pickup truck load, he said.
But with the economy still lagging, the need is there more than ever.
In addition, the center still needs toys for the Children’s Toy House, which is scheduled from 1-6 p.m. Monday in Evangelical Free Church at 3000 E. Main St. The food will be distributed to families in the community.
For more information, call 275-0593.
