Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
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Tiffany Sohns places items donated by Cherokee Nation employees into food baskets for needy families.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Cherokee Nation employees donated food and money to provide food baskets for 46 needy families this holiday season.

Donations included non-perishable food items, toiletries, and various household goods. Cherokee Nation employees and student volunteers from Talking Leaves Job Corps assembled the food baskets.

"This project takes a lot of effort from the employees", said Mary Mead, Volunteer Coordinator for the Cherokee Nation.

Cherokee Nation employees initiated this project two years ago. Lisa James, Elderly Service Manager for the Cherokee Nation, is overseeing the project. The number of baskets given away is based solely on the number of donations received from the employees.

"We try to give back, it comes from the heart", said Wendell Cochran, Cherokee Nation employee.

All families had to fill out an application and go through an approval process through the Family Assistance Program. The deadline for applications was December 13.