The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce announced today that its annual holiday food basket program will now be known as the ‘Gerry Wiles Holiday Food Basket Program’ in honor and memory of a great man. Wiles was involved in several area non-profit organizations to include the Chamber of Commerce and served tirelessly behind the scenes to help those in need in several area communities throughout his lifetime.

The Chamber is now accepting donations for the holiday food basket program, which provides much needed help to many families during the holidays.

Non-perishable items can be dropped off at various locations throughout Franklin County which include: The Chamber’s Farmington office, Camden National Bank (Farmington), Franklin-Somerset Federal Credit Union (Kingfield), Key Bank (Wilton), and CSM Real Estate (Kingfield). Donations of food and money will also be accepted during Chester Greenwood Day at the Main Street location of Bangor Savings Bank in downtown Farmington from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A $25 monetary gift will also help toward providing enough food to fill one holiday basket. Last year, over 100 baskets were given out to families and food pantries county-wide. Donations should be received by December 10. Pickup date for food baskets is scheduled for Friday afternoon, December 17 from the Chamber’s Farmington office. For more information, including a list of needed food items, donation forms, and more, please visit www.franklincountymaine.org or contact the Chamber at 778-4215.