More than 200 children received baskets, boxes and buckets filled with Easter goodies this year, thanks to the annual Baskets for Believers program.

Vicksburg Family Development Center distributed about 120 baskets and buckets packed with toys, clothes and candy.

“It looked like Easter bunny central up there,” Kay Lee, the director of the center, said.

The Child and Parent Center gave out 50 baskets and an additional 56 boxes donated by Travelers Rest Baptist Church

“It’s the most we’ve had in several years,” said Erma Driver, director of the CAP center. “We’re very fortunate to have the community rally in support for our children, especially around Easter.”

The program works similarly to the Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree drive. Students in theology class at St. Aloysius High School decorated paper Eggs, and they were distributed to local churches including First Baptist and St. Michael and St. Paul Catholic churches, one of the founders of Baskets for Believer said when reached by phone Thursday.

The people behind the program wish to remain anonymous and prefer the attention at Easter be on religion.

“We feel this is a good tool to witnesses to these young mothers,” they said.

As part of the project, each basket contains a Bible or book about Jesus, said Claudia Taylor, health educator and home visitor for Vicksburg family Development. The baskets also contain toys, clothes, candy and other age-appropriate items, Lee said.

“Some of them go above and beyond with the baskets,” Taylor said, noting that some baskets contained dresses and bonnets.

Officials at both nonprofit agencies said recipients seemed glad to receive the donated baskets.

“Some of these parents have five or six children they are trying to buy for during this time. They have said over and over how appreciative they are,” Driver said.

On Thursday, the CAP center finished delivering baskets, and all but 20 had been picked up from Vicksburg Family Development.

Vicksburg Family Development focuses on early family intervention and youth enrichment activities by offering classes parenting classes, home visits, and preschool and afterschool programs, Lee said.

“We feel very strongly that all families have strength,” she said.

The CAP Center has a similar focus and its programs include Court Appointed Special Advocate for children, parent education, mentoring programs and teen pregnancy prevention.