Volunteers deliver food as part of the annual Good Cheer Fund food distribution effort in 2022. The fund helps provide about 900 baskets of fresh and non-perishable food to households in need throughout the county.
DAILY JOURNAL FILE PHOTO
For more than 100 years, the Good Cheer Fund has been woven into the fabric of the Johnson County community.
The annual food distribution provides baskets of fresh and non-perishable food to more than 900 households across the county. Local organizers have been giving out baskets of food to families in need for generations, and over that same time, individuals, businesses, clubs, churches and more have made supporting the fund a part of their Christmas tradition.
Yet despite its longevity, organizers get the same questions each year.
“There are a lot of challenges in the world, but ultimately, there’s always going to be a need,” said Jacob Sappenfield, chairman of the Good Cheer Fund.
The Good Cheer Fund is an annual charity drive raising money and food to help the hungry during the holiday season. Donations from the community are used to buy fresh food, such as produce, potatoes, meat, cheese and milk, as well as additional items to ensure families have food to eat for days after Christmas.
All the food for the baskets come from non-perishable items collected by area schools, as well as the fresh food purchased and delivered in the days leading up to the distribution.
The fund was founded in 1921 by Austin Flinn, a local funeral home owner, and the Franklin Evening Star. Organizers appealed to the community’s generosity, particularly in reaching out to families with no other way of getting help.
To help clear up any misconceptions and questions the community might have, Sappenfield answered some of the most common that he fields. He also wanted to give some insight into his job as chairman.
The more people understand the working and meaning behind the Good Cheer Fund, the most successful it can be.
How are the households who get a basket chosen?
“We work closely with the schools and agencies we feel have a pretty good understanding of the Johnson County community. Those groups reach out and supply us with names.”
Are there that many families that need help?
“Yes. As we all know, life is challenging and it is expensive. Our community has many families who need a break during the holiday season. I hope the Good Cheer Fund can provide that and continue to do so for many years to come.”
The family has nice stuff, do they really need help?
“The first important thing to remember is to not judge anyone in a tough situation. I have heard this from volunteers a few different times. Something that seems excessive to one person may be a necessity to another. Regardless, most of the families receiving assistance could use a little help during this special time of the year. That is our purpose.”
Why do you do this every year?
“Loving and caring for others is a primary focus for my life. My self-worth is predicated on my ability to assist others and make them feel good about themselves. I believe many people feel the same way, which is why we have such a large volunteer base. I want to help as many people as possible, but I am proud to make a difference right here in Johnson County, a place I have called home my entire life.”
If you could solve this issue, how would you do it?
“The biggest challenge right now in general is that life is expensive and it keeps getting more expensive. The everyday costs for a family today is much more than 25 years ago. I think we have normalized spending in our culture through mass marketing and social media. I would like to see more education on budgeting and helping people understand where their hard-earned money is going. This does not solve the fact that living costs are increasing faster than wages. The majority of us have to deal with this challenge every day, I would like to provide options/relief. We try to do that during the Christmas season with what we are doing with Good Cheer Fund.“
AT A GLANCE
Good Cheer Fund
What: An annual effort to pass out holiday food baskets to the needy throughout Johnson County. Baskets include a mix of nonperishable foods and fresh items, such as a ham or chicken, eggs, milk and cheese.
How many: About 900 baskets
How to apply: Applications, both in English and Spanish, can be found in the Daily Journal today and on Dec. 2. To be considered for a basket, applications must be received by Dec. 8. The forms can be mailed to Good Cheer Fund, PO Box 237, Franklin, IN 46131. For more information, call 317-777-1159.
How to give: Monetary donations will be accepted until the end of December. Donations can be mailed to the Daily Journal, P.O. Box 699, Franklin, IN 46131.
