GAINESVILLE, Fla. ‒ Alachua County Public Schools is seeking help from the local community to feed hungry children over the holidays.
The district is holding its annual Holiday Food Drive, which provided boxes of food for about 900 families last year. Organizers are seeking donations of food items or money so that the families of hundreds of children who receive free and reduced-price meals at school will have enough to eat during the Winter Break.
“Many families are dependent on school meals to feed their children every weekday,” said food drive organizer Kelley Kostamo. “Unfortunately, that means they have a hard time making up for the loss of those meals during school holidays and breaks.”
A specific list of the food items needed for each box is available on the district’s website at www.sbac.edu/foodbox. The district’s goal is to provide all families with similar items, including enough food for regular meals during the break and a holiday meal.
Donations of food can be dropped off at Lincoln Middle School a 1001 S.E. 12th Street between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at Littlewood Elementary School at 812 N.W. 34th Street between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and at the District Office at 620 E. University Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Arrangements can also be made for donations to be picked up by emailing Kostamo at kostamkb@gm.sbac.edu or calling 352-955-7250, ext. 6411.
The district is also using monetary donations to purchase food. Such donations can be made online at The Education Foundation of Alachua County website at edfoundationac.org. Just click on the Donate button and designate ‘Emergency Food/Food Baskets’ on the drop-drown menu.
The deadline for food donations is Dec. 14. The deadline for monetary contributions is Dec. 15. Food boxes will be delivered to schools Dec. 18 for distribution before the Winter Break.
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Email editor@
alachuatoday.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. ‒ Alachua County Public Schools is seeking help from the local community to feed hungry children over the holidays.
The district is holding its annual Holiday Food Drive, which provided boxes of food for about 900 families last year. Organizers are seeking donations of food items or money so that the families of hundreds of children who receive free and reduced-price meals at school will have enough to eat during the Winter Break.
“Many families are dependent on school meals to feed their children every weekday,” said food drive organizer Kelley Kostamo. “Unfortunately, that means they have a hard time making up for the loss of those meals during school holidays and breaks.”
A specific list of the food items needed for each box is available on the district’s website at www.sbac.edu/foodbox. The district’s goal is to provide all families with similar items, including enough food for regular meals during the break and a holiday meal.
Donations of food can be dropped off at Lincoln Middle School a 1001 S.E. 12th Street between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at Littlewood Elementary School at 812 N.W. 34th Street between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and at the District Office at 620 E. University Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Arrangements can also be made for donations to be picked up by emailing Kostamo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 352-955-7250, ext. 6411.
The district is also using monetary donations to purchase food. Such donations can be made online at The Education Foundation of Alachua County website at edfoundationac.org. Just click on the Donate button and designate ‘Emergency Food/Food Baskets’ on the drop-drown menu.
The deadline for food donations is Dec. 14. The deadline for monetary contributions is Dec. 15. Food boxes will be delivered to schools Dec. 18 for distribution before the Winter Break.
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Email editor@
alachuatoday.com