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Fact Box

- Family Registration Forms -

Possible recipients of Horn of Plenty packages must be submitted by Dec. 2. No one can submit their own name. Official registration forms can be found at:

In Minot

Alleys Repair, Allstate Insurance - Mark Havig office, B&B Northwest Pharmacy, Bray's Saddlery Western Wear & Shoe Repair, Bremer Insurance, Curves, Fisher Motors, GCR Firestone Store, Gourmet Chef, Grand International, Home of Economy, Hovde Insurance Agency, Jerome's Collision Center, Knowles Jewelry, Lowes Garden Center, Magic City Cleaners, Market Pharmacy, Minot Plumbing & Heating, Minot's Finest Collision Center, Miracle Mart Stores, NAPA Auto Parts, Nite Train Pizza, North Country Mercantile, Prairie Federal Credit Union, Rick's Jewelry, Royal Fork Buffet, Tesoro - Dakota Square, South Broadway, Tire's Plus, Town & Country Credit Union

Anamoose

Pete's Tractor Salvage

Stanley

Dakota Drug, Priarie Ford, Springan Furniture

Velva

Farmers Union Oil, Peoples State Bank

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- DROP OFF POINTS -

Horn of Plenty donation drop points - The dealine for donations, non-perishable food items and toys, is December 5 at:

(Minot)

Acme Electric

Curves

GCR Firestone Store

Home of Economy

Miracle Mart Stores

Tesoro - Dakota Square & South Broadway

(Stanley)

Prairie Ford

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In baseball jargon a "can of corn" means a certain out. Locally a can of corn can be a home run that is if it is donated to the annual Horn of Plenty program.

The Horn of Plenty, which got its start in 1984 under the guidance of KHRT radio manager Dick Leavitt, has grown into a vital community program that currently reaches out to nearly 400 families in the Minot area.

"I was looking for a program where the funds would go where they were supposed to go," recalled Leavitt. "That first year I thought we'd have a hard time finding 25 families in need. It was miracle after miracle. Dollars and hams and turkeys started coming in from all directions and we finally helped 84 families."

The purpose of the Horn of Plenty is to provide families in need with enough groceries to cover a two-week period during the Christmas season, including all that is necessary for a true Christmas dinner. Those who are capable of doing so are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at one of several drop-off points in Minot and surrounding communities until Dec. 9. Perishable items, such as turkeys and milk, will be purchased with monetary donations and included in gift boxes that will be distributed to qualifying familes.

"Last year we reached out to 368 families and over 1,300 people. The important figure is that it included over 700 children age 16 and under. We helped children," said an impassioned Leavitt.

One way Minot's three Miracle Mart Stores participate in the Horn of Plenty is by providing drop box locations where people can donate food items. Miracle Mart manager Jeff Berg calls the program rewarding.

"It's a good community thing that Miracle Mart likes to be involved with. It's definitely rewarding," said Berg. "It's sad that we have a big number like 368 families to help but it's great we can help that many. Maybe this way they can have a holiday dinner the way they'd like."

Donations to the Horn of Plenty have been slower than usual this year. Leavitt thinks the reason is primarily the warm weather. Cold and snow creates an atmosphere that gets people thinking more about Christmas and more about those in need. Nevertheless, Leavitt and Berg are among those who believe that Minoters will once again generously respond to the program in time for the holidays.

"Our customers are always in favor of it," said Berg while watching a woman drop several cans of vegetables into one of the donation boxes at South Broadway Miracle Mart. "Our employees have a good time with it, too. The closer we get to the holiday, the more that will be dropped off in the buckets. Those who are dropping items off have to have a better feeling in their heart, knowing they are helping families in need. It's all positive."

The Horn of Plenty reaches out to families within an approximate 75-mile radius of Minot. To be considered for the program, a family must be registered by someone other than a family member. Nomination forms are available at several businesses in the Minot area.

Leavitt has been the mainstay of the program, which is in its 26th year, and has personally delivered gift boxes to hundreds of families. It has been a rewarding endeavor.

"It's a gift program. We never have been, or ever will be, a welfare program," explained Leavitt. "We tell people that they have won because somebody in the community has cared enough about them to nominate them. I've seen young ladies take the milk out of the grocery bag and fill baby bottles. They are so thankful. You can't put in words how this program touches people. Sharing is its own reward. There's nothing like giving."

While food is the the primary purpose of the Horn of Plenty, toys are also included. Toy donations are accepted at several drop off points. Additional toys will be purchased with dollars raised through fundraising efforts and donation programs conducted by employees within several businesses.

After the Dec. 9 deadline, food and gift items are packaged on a per family basis. It takes a lot of volunteers to get the job done. Several church youth groups and businesses are among those who volunteer every year. Much of the distribution is handled by church volunteers.

"It's been absolutely beautiful that the churches have picked up the Horn of Plenty packages and distribute them," said Leavitt. "All we can do is help guide people because we can't do it all. It's a total donation program and done on a volunteer basis only. There's also a spiritual side of it, the compassion side. We include a ministry gift in every package. Showing people that we care is as needful as anything."

Leavitt recalls one Horn of Plenty delivery during the early years of the program that "shook me for several hours." A single woman and her children were selected to be recipients of the Horn of Plenty. When Leavitt arrived at her door, the woman refused several requests by Leavitt to leave gifts of food.

"I finally turned to leave, feeling dejected, when she said it was okay to bring things in," said Leavitt. "When I carried groceries into the kitchen I noticed several paper towels and razor blades on the kitchen table. It was unreal."

The woman broke down into tears and told Leavitt her story. She said she had sent her children away because she had planned to take her life and did not want her children to see it happen. However, she told Leavitt, they'd need the groceries after she was gone.

"If it were not for the Horn of Plenty, that life would have been gone," surmised Leavitt. "Those kids would not have had a mother any longer."

Delivery teams spend at least a few minutes visiting with recipient families every year. The goal is to be the eyes and ears of the Horn of Plenty and show people that someone is always thinking about them and cares about them. When necessary, representatives of area churches will maintain contact with families that may require more than a one-time need. That is one way the impact of the Horn of Plenty reaches well beyond the Christmas season.