Quality Inn-Marble Falls making last push for donated blankets, food

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — While the fourth annual Quality Inn-Marble Falls blanket/food drive is winding down, the motel’s general manager is hoping for one last push.

“It’s been a little down this year, but we still have a few days, and it would be great to get some more donations,” Sammy Bhakta said. “We’ll keep on taking blankets and food through the end of the year.”

People can drop off blankets and food 24 hours a day at the motel, 1206 U.S. 281.

Bhakta admitted he didn’t give the drive as strong a push at the beginning. Part of that was because, at first, he wasn’t going to do one this year.

However, that changed when people began inquiring about the drive.

“I’d be somewhere, like the grocery store, and somebody would ask me, ‘When does your blanket drive start?'” Bhakta said. “People were expecting it. It has become a tradition.”

So, in early December, Bhakta and his staff began putting together things for the drive.

All the blankets donated will go to organizations such as the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center to be handed out to people who need one. The food will go to local food pantries.

Even though customers and community members contribute a big portion of the donations, Bhakta said it all starts at home, or the motel.

“I always hit up my family for donations, and I encourage my staff to ask their families to donate,” he said. “And the staff really responds. They really look forward to helping out.”

Call (830) 693-7531 for more information on the blanket/food drive.

daniel@thepicayune.com