TWIN TIERS (WENY) -- Part of the excitement of Easter for many is getting an Easter basket. One local group's goal is to make sure as many kids as possible get that experience, even those whose families face financial difficulties.

“It’s so fulfilling to be part of it. It’s hard to explain that it’s just, it’s very fulfilling," said Shelley Giannino, an administrator for the group "Free Items for Families in Need."

Giannino has been filling baskets for those in need since 2019. It's one of the many ways "Free Items for Families in Need" gives back to the community. The group was founded in 2017. They help families get essentials like food, clothes, and even toys, especially during the holiday season.

Giannino said that one year, her group noticed an uptick in requests for food after many holidays, such as Easter. She said that's because families spend food stamp money to make sure their kids get Easter baskets instead of spending it on food.

Now, each spring, the group puts together hundreds of baskets to give to families in need.

"But we thought maybe we could help by providing the Easter basket to help make the food stamps stretch a little bit longer, the paycheck stretch a little bit longer without having for them to provide an Easter basket," Giannino said.

Giannino said this year the group was able to provide around 250 kids with baskets to wake up to on Easter morning. She said each year the group strives to provide more baskets than the previous year.

These projects mean a lot to Giannino, as she said she struggled with money around the holidays with her own family.

Giannino said she was not able to provide enough for her kids during Christmas time. She said she would call donation places, and they would only provide gifts for her kids, not her teenagers.

"I went to different agencies," Giannino explained. "They told me they would cover my two smaller children, but my teens should know better, and they’re not covered."

Giannino said that because of this, she wanted to make sure teens got what they wanted for Christmas, not just the kids. Her goal, she said, is to make sure each child feels special during each holiday season. The group does a large Christmas donation drive each year.

That's where "Free Items for Families in Need" came from. The group now has more than 10,000 members on Facebook. Giannino said it's a place where people can both donate and request items. She said people in the group do have the option to remain anonymous.

"Free Items for Families in Need" covers most of the areas in the Twin Tiers, according to Giannino.

If you are interested in joining the Facebook group, click here.