The baskets will contain a ham, two boxes of instant mashed potatoes, Jell-O, two cans of peaches, baked beans, two cans of green beans, fruit juice and brownie mix.

In addition, Shirley Wilton and Bill Hall, who packed the baskets, promise that each basket will have oranges and apples from the Pleasant View Orchard in Niagara, Wis., along with two popcorn balls and assorted candy.

Maranatha Messengers, a ministry outreach of the Kingsford Maranatha Assembly of God, provides for distribution of food for temporary relief to families and individuals who have encountered difficult circumstances.

Messengers, at 917 Pyle Drive in Kingsford, operates on a volunteer basis. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays. Those in need are asked to call ahead at 906-774-7877 to schedule an appointment so they may be served in a safe manner.

Shirley Wilton packs baskets to be given to for 50 local families in need.

Maranatha Messengers was established in 1984 as a vision toward furnishing clothing and food to those in need in the community.

Messengers will continue to follow the guidelines of asking people to call for an appointment, allowing only one person in the building with a half-hour timeline and wearing gloves and a mask.

Messengers is staffed entirely by volunteers who want to make the holiday a little brighter for area families.

Messengers stands alongside St. Vincent de Paul Society and The Salvation Army to provide for those in need.

Terri Castelaz/Daily News photosBill Hall PLACES a Message of Hope in each Christmas basket offered by Maranatha Assembly of God’s Maranatha Messengers ministry outreach.