GUSTINE – An outpouring of generosity from a caring community brought Christmas to the doorstep of more than 50 families in Gustine and Santa Nella Saturday.

Members of the Gustine Lions Club and community volunteers loaded up pickup trucks Saturday morning and set off on their rounds, delivering food and gifts to local families in need. The food and gifts had been donated through a number of drives, including the community food drive held the previous evening by the Lions.

This year, organizers said, the need for help at the holidays was greater than ever.

Organizer Tiffany Vitorino said deliveries were made to 52 families, up from about 38 a year ago.

“We got a lot more calls this year from people asking for help,” Vitorino said. “The schools gave us 37 names, and the rest came either from OLM or from calls we received.”

Each family received two boxes of donated food. Each child received two gifts and a stuffed animal.

The Lions Club, with the help of contributors from the community, purchased a ham or turkey for each family as well as bread and milk.

The community food drive was a huge success as residents gave generously, said Vitorino and food drive chairman Lynn Schultz.

“I thought the economy would hurt it, but I don’t think that it did,” Vitorino commented. “In addition to the food, there were also a lot of toys left on doorsteps to be picked up Friday night.”

Gustine residents Frank and Becky Dominguez donated two pickup truck loads of toys in what has become an annual tradition for her family.

Those toys were donated at a toy drive/football game known as the “Turkey Bowl,” played in the San Jose area each year in memory of the Dominguez’s son.

Toys were also donated at Bank of America and other community locations.

“There was no shortage of toys,” Schultz noted.

There was also no shortage of volunteer help to make the food drive, toy drive and Saturday morning deliveries a reality.

Among those turning out to help were Miss Gustine Bianca Tello, with numerous family members in tow, Jr. Miss Gustine Ciarra McCormick and Stormi Flores, a member of her court, who wrapped gifts Friday. Miss Gustine court members Kyla Nunes and Ashley Cornell were on hand Saturday.

A class at the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Academy, which includes Gustine resident Richard Martin, also helped out Saturday.

The Interact Club at Gustine High also held a food drive, and Gustine High Renaissance conducted a book drive. Both were held during the Olde-Fashioned Christmas at Home festivities. The food and books they collected were part of the Saturday morning deliveries.

The holiday food drive is a Lions Club tradition which dates as far back as anybody can remember.

Thanks to their efforts and a supportive community, dozens of local families will enjoy a brighter holiday season.