Batesville Christmas gift program seeking donations

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – A Batesville program that provides Christmas gifts to local students is seeking donations ahead of the holidays. 

Families Helping Families (FHF) Program was created more than 30 years ago and it ensures that no child in Batesville goes without Christmas presents.

FHF serves infants through 18-year-olds who reside in the Batesville Schools area. The program also provides food and grocery gift cards to families.

Families must meet certain financial criteria which include being part of the free or reduced lunch program established by the school system.

Last year, the program provided nearly 800 gifts and $30,000 in gift cards to 144 families. 

Jim Saner leads the program and says they don’t know what to expect this year due to the economy. 

“We think the number of families will be higher than last year. Our resources are always thin, and we need donations so we can meet the needs of our families,” Saner explained. 

You can support FHF by calling Jim Saner at (812) 525-1239 or emailing jimsaner@etczone.com 

You can also call his wife, Maureen, at (812) 212-9797 and each donation is tax-deductible. Checks can be made to:

Families Helping Families

105 South Mulberry Street

Batesville, Indiana 47006

All donations are due by December 1 and families will pick up their packages two weeks later.

“I am constantly amazed at the requests we receive, such as very basic items like socks, underwear, pants and shirts to internet games, gift cards, board games, baby dolls and bikes.  The program is limited to $60.00 per child,” Saner explained. 

FHF began through St. Louis Church and now involves numerous churches and businesses in the Batesville area.