Once a month, a whole host of foods — ranging from nuts to eggs to fruits and vegetables — is distributed at Powell’s American Legion Hall. People in need from across the northern Big Horn Basin come to receive the commodities.

But ahead of the Christmas holiday, Saturday’s distribution included some special items. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and donors, many of the 228 families who were served left with not only the usual staples, but also turkeys, hams and Christmas wreaths.

Blair’s Super Market donated a pallet of turkeys and 40 hams were provided by The Market at Powell — with some help from players at the local Legion’s periodic bingo competitions. A bingo raffle raised $452 leading up to last weekend’s distribution, which helped purchase some of the hams. Powell Boy Scouts Troop 26, meanwhile, donated about a dozen wreaths while Blair’s also chipped in a pallet-load of toilet paper. It was enough for everyone to get six rolls, amid a year in which TP has taken on added value.

Then, later on, the Kringle House delivered another 120 turkeys to be distributed to those in need.

And as always, a group of volunteers got everything ready to go and then out the door. Some of the goods were delivered to elderly residents and those battling COVID-19 and another four families who missed the distribution day were provided with turkeys and boxes of food later, for a total of 232 families served.

“This was a community project,” Patty Paulsen of the American Legion Auxiliary said Saturday morning, shortly before the distribution began, “whether they donated money or they donated food, everything helped out with it.”

Paulsen called all of those who assisted “our angel warriors.”

Russell Stafford, commander of American Legion Hughes-Pittinger Post 26, said the extra turkeys, hams and other items were appreciated by the recipients.

“Everybody was able to provide a good solid meal for the holidays,” Stafford said. “Everybody was extremely thankful for that.”

The usual foods that are distributed each month come from the Food Bank of the Rockies. Paulsen said more commodities have been available to the Powell program, as some communities have hit pause amid the pandemic.

The local Legion post, however, has added precautions and continued its efforts.

Meanwhile, the donated turkeys will be a gift that keeps on giving: “We have some left over that we’ll distribute in January,” Paulsen said.