Veteran volunteers purchase food like fresh oranges and potatoes at the Aldi in Marietta on Monday. (Photo provided by Gary Ward)

In collaboration with AMVETS Post 1788, Marietta Elks Lodge and the Washington County Veterans Service Commission, 25 families and over 100 individuals were given toys, food, hygiene products and clothing on Wednesday.

For three consecutive years, AMVETS and over 10 local organizations and veteran groups donated food and items for veterans and their families in need during the holiday season.

A handful of volunteers began preparations at the Marietta Elks Lodge at 414 Colegate Drive mid-morning before families arrived between 1-5 p.m. to gather their items and gifts.

Washington County Veterans Service Commissioner, and one of many event organizers, Brad Webb said they usually start collecting for the event two to three months beforehand.

“Our goal is to get them food and items that would get them to February,” said Webb. “We want to take that burden off of them during Christmas time and get them through the holidays.”

About 13 volunteers pose for a picture with Aldi employees after purchasing multiple carts full of fresh and canned foods on Monday. The food went towards the distribution to veterans and their families Wednesday. (Photo provided by Gary Ward)

Webb said they raised about $10,000 in donations from the community and multiple veterans organizations.

The amount has increased by a few thousand each year as well as the amount of families participating.

He said for a few days leading up to the distribution date, a handful of volunteers purchased food, hygiene products, clothing and toys from multiple stores.

Webb said the families filled out item preference sheets when they came to the lodge to pick up their meals on Thanksgiving.

“These families are very appreciative,” said Webb. “We go buy the food first because that’s honestly the most important part.”

Toys, clothing, and food are prepared on separate tables for every veteran family receiving donations at the Marietta Elks Lodge on Wednesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Webb said the families ranged from two to as many as 10 members per family. He said the families with no kids received food, clothing, and hygiene products like toothbrushes and laundry detergent.

“There’s about 79 kids so we spend an average of $100 per child,” he said.

Stores like JCPenney donated items like towels and socks which have been paid for by customers at the store. Webb said the event is a collaboration amongst many people, stores and organizations.

Webb said to protect the privacy of the family, they schedule the pickup times in increments.

From bicycles to diapers to new tennis shoes, 25 tables were piled high with all sorts of fun and useful items.

There were 25 tables stacked high with toys and goodies for veteran families to pick up at the Marietta Elks Lodge on Wednesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“When we’re with our families for Christmas and opening gifts, it’s nice to take a second and think ‘these families are opening up things right now, too,'” he said.

Each family also received wrapping paper and supplies to wrap the gifts to be opened on Christmas day.

Every table at the Marietta Elks Lodge was marked with a number and the amount of family members in the family. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Veteran families receive anything from diapers to new shoes and toys donated by multiple organizations in a community collaboration on Wednesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Volunteers stock carts full of fresh and canned goods onto a trailer to bring to the Marietta Elks Lodge on Monday. (Photo provided by Gary Ward)