The 78th annual Christmas Basket Fund has grown to $4,830 with new donations totaling $920.

The fund — sponsored by American Legion Post 89, The Tribune and JCBank — helps ensure people in need have a way to buy food at Christmastime.

The new donations are:

In memory of Glen Ford, $50, from Bonnie Ford

In memory of Lora Darlage, Maxine Darlage and Raymond Spicer, $200, from Robert and Mary Lou Shollenberger

In memory of Mark and James Plessinger, $50, from Rick and Mary Pray

In memory of Elizabeth Reed, $20, from Duane, Greg and Dickie

$50, from Randy Bobb

In memory of Jake Taylor, $50, from Joann Taylor

In memory of Danny Eglen, $50, from Laura Eglen

$100, from Larry Joe and Donna Wente

$100, from Leon Pottschmidt

In lieu of Christmas cards, $100, from Anthony Rust and Marcia Monroe

In loving memory of our dear friend, Barb Wiethoff Guthrie, $100, from The Herd

In memory of Mildred and Warren Daab, $25, from Louis and Bonnie Daab, Amy, Murl, Tristan and Cooper Robinson and JeanAnn and Shawn Thomas

In memory of Odas Higginbotham Sr. and Ronnie “Higgie” Higginbotham, $25, from Louis and Bonnie Daab, Amy, Murl, Tristan and Cooper Robinson and JeanAnn and Shawn Thomas

The generosity of Jackson County residents has resulted in more than $12,000 being raised through the Christmas Basket Fund each of the past few years. In 2022, there were 113 donations totaling $12,325, while the 2021 campaign totaled $13,013.08.

Donations allow for $50 Jay C Food Stores gift cards to be distributed to less-fortunate people in Jackson County whose applications are approved. Requests for assistance were accepted through Dec. 15.

Businesses, corporations, service groups, churches, individuals or families may donate. Donors may contribute anonymously if they choose and may dedicate their donations in memory or in honor of others.

All donations may be mailed to or dropped off at American Legion Post 89 or The Tribune in Seymour or any branch of JCBank. Donors and their dedications are published in The Tribune.

The fund was started in 1945 by veterans returning home to Seymour and Jackson County from World War II to provide food for area families at Christmas.

Originally, the fund served those in need in Seymour, but it later was expanded to include all of Jackson County.