“Helping Our Neighbors” for Thanksgiving

November 16, 2005

WHO: The University of Florida and the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida Inc. have joined to sponsor the second "Helping Our Neighbors" holiday food project.

WHAT: The goal of the community partners is to help our neighbors who live in the outlying and rural areas of Alachua County. On Nov. 18, more than 200 Thanksgiving baskets will be delivered to families in Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne, High Springs, LaCrosse, Micanopy, Newberry and Waldo. The estimated number of people who will be served is more than 1,000.

Generously supported by UF President Bernie Machen, the University of Florida is contributing turkeys and other non-perishable foods to each basket.

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 18, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

WHERE: Alachua County Fairgrounds, Main Pavilion, 2900 N.E. 39th Ave.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Florida Bridgewater-Alford at (352) 846-3903 or Marie Small at (352) 376-2442.

SPONSORS: University of Florida Office of the President and Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida Inc.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Volunteers from the University of Florida vice presidents’ offices, MLK Jr. Commission of Florida Inc. and the Gator Chapter of the NAACP will be arranging the baskets at the Alachua County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday. Representatives from each municipality will start arriving for their baskets at 10 a.m.