Food baskets, toys distributed in Modesto

The St. Vincent de Paul ministry at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Modesto held its annual food basket and toy distribution Thursday.

Clients began lining up by 8 a.m. for the event, which offered donations from church parishioners and community partners including Save Mart, Seneca Foods, Gregori High School, Satellite Health Care, Med America, Directline Technologies and Sunshine Donut Co. The program also provides weekly pantry bags that serve more than 30,000 people each year, in addition to an emergency utility-assistance program.

Volunteers provided hot chocolate and pastries to those who were waiting in line. Each family with children was allowed to select a toy or two and have it wrapped by volunteers.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Food baskets, toys distributed in Modesto."