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POINT PLEASANT — A long-standing tradition in Point Pleasant has returned to feed the community’s needy.

The Point Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Food Basket Program is taking applications for its food giveaway on Christmas Eve. Sign ups began on Monday and applications can be picked up at Ty Somerville’s State Farm office from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursdays and Saturdays.

PPVFD Chief Jeremy Bryant met with Somerville on Monday to accept a monetary donation to help kick off the program. Bryant said the program is a community event which relies on the community for food and monetary donations to fill those baskets. The baskets typically have meat, potatoes, bread and non-perishable items. Bryant said it can be tough to find enough money and donations to fill those baskets and to attempt to meet that need each year can be a “leap of faith.”

The program typically supplies around 200 food baskets, depending on donations.

“Somehow we always pull through,” Bryant said, explaining donations can fluctuate year to year but the fire department does as much as it can with what means it has available.

Somerville said he and his business got involved about five years ago to help the fire department.

“We all have the same goal…to help people,” Somerville said.

By opening up his office to those wishing to pick up applications, it allows the fire department to concentrate on collecting donations.

For those wishing to donate to the program, monetary or non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Somerville’s State Farm office during normal business hours or at the PPVFD next to the municipal building. Bryant said he can also pick up donations and can be reached at 304-675-0256.