UF extends helping hand to needy families during holidays

December 14, 2006

WHO: The University of Florida and the Martin Luther King Commission of Florida Inc. are partnering on the “Helping Our Neighbors” holiday food project.

WHAT: The goal of the community partnership is to provide help UF’s neighbors who live in the outlying and rural areas in Alachua County. On Dec. 18, more than 200 baskets will be delivered to families in Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne, High Springs, LaCrosse, Micanopy, Newberry, Rochelle, Waldo and Grove Park. 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 nonperishable foods to each basket.

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Florida Bridgewater-Alford at 352-846-3903.

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

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Volunteers from the offices of the University of Florida President, and MLK Commission of Florida Inc., will be arranging the baskets (boxes) of food at the Alachua County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday. Representatives from each municipality will have between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to receive their municipality’s baskets. Each basket will contain a full-size turkey, four cans of vegetables, four cans of fruit, a can of yams, a box of mashed potatoes, boxes of corn bread mix, cake mix and icing.

Representatives from UF’s VP’s Office for University Relations, UF’s Provost’s Office, MLK Commission of Florida Inc. and other community volunteers will be present.