‘Tis the season to give. That is the sentiment Sonja Godwin, director of Andalusia’s Adult Activities Center, is hoping many people in the area will implement as the AAC works to collect food and other items for senior citizens and others who are homebound during the holiday season.

Godwin said the AAC, a program operated by the City of Andalusia, currently has a list of 56 homebound individuals, and is working diligently to provide bags full of food and other needed items for each person.

“Our staff members are very gracious, and they go out and try to buy stuff to help fill the bags,” Godwin said. “Our staff has sewn placemats with pockets for silverware for each bag.”

Godwin said the AAC is in need of canned food and other non-perishable items for the bags, but added anything a homebound person could use would be a greatly appreciated donation.

“It doesn’t have to be food,” she said of possible donations. “It can be towels or washrags. Just anything they can use. It can be anything. And it doesn’t have to be in increments of 56. We can utilize whatever we have, and make it work per bag.”

Godwin said the holiday project is something the AAC tries to do each year around the holidays in addition to their normal nutrition program.

“Monday through Friday, our nutrition program delivers meals to shut in and terminally ill people, or people who just can’t prepare food for themselves,” Godwin said, adding this time of year, the need is especially high.

“We forget people who don’t have family and can’t get out this time of year sometimes,” she said. “Lots of people have lost loved ones and are just alone. We want them to realize how special they are. Our goal is to help everyone feel just as special as they really are.”

Godwin said donations are welcome from churches, businesses, organizations and individuals, but added the deadline to donate is approaching quickly.

“We have received a donation of various items from Andalusia Distributing Company,” she said. “But, we are still looking for donations of discontinued items or other items people can spare.”

The deadline to donate is Friday at noon. Donations can be dropped off at the AAC facility, located at 401 Walker Ave. (corner of Church St. and Walker Ave. on the back side of the old Church Street school). All donations are tax deductible, and letters serving as proof of donations can be provided by AAC.

For more information, contact AAC at 334.222.6891.