Students pack boxes for Adopt-a-Basket
OXFORD, Miss. – As the winter holidays draw near, the University of Mississippi community is working together to provide meals and toys for area families in need.
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the 10th annual Adopt-a-Basket program is accepting food donations at UM’s Jackson Avenue Center. Collection dates and times are noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 18, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 19 and 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 20. The event is co-sponsored by the Associated Student Body, the Big Event and the Office of Volunteer Services.
“The number of families helped has been increasing,” said Coulter Ward, assistant dean of students for student organizations. “Last year, we had close to 500 baskets that were sent out to families. We have averaged close to 250 baskets annually for the last five years.”
Each basket provided will contain a $35 gift card (Walmart, Kroger or Larson’s Cash Saver), 2 large cans of corn, 2 large cans of green beans, a can of cranberry sauce, a large onion, 3 pounds of sweet potatoes, 3 pounds of white potatoes, a can of sweetened condensed milk, 5 pounds of sugar and 5 pounds of cornmeal. Volunteers are needed to pack baskets. Contact Kaitlyn Vogt at kvogt@go.olemiss.edu or Ward at jcward@olemiss.edu to sign up.
Before Christmas, the 17th annual Books and Bears Drive is scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 19 in a location to be determined. Sponsored by UM’s Black Faculty and Staff Organization, the drive collects new teddy bears, children’s books and toys to be presented to children of custodial and grounds workers. A reception follows the distribution.
“People inquire about the program’s particulars well before we start planning,” said Donald Cole, associate provost and assistant to the chancellor for multicultural affairs. “I don’t feel as if I’m imposing when I ask for donations because I know your heart and your desire to help with the program again this year.”
Donations for Books and Bears may be dropped off at several campus locations: third floor of the Khayat Law Center, Graduate School, second floor of Vardaman Hall, first floor of Ventress Hall, Office of the Provost in the Lyceum, UM Ticket Office in Student Union, Howry Hall, Room 308, Hume Hall, Room 305, Farley Hall, Yerby Center, Career Center at Martindale Hall, Powers Hall and the Lucky Day Residential College.
For more information, contact Cole at 662-915-1712 or dcole@olemiss.edu or Jackie Certion at jcertion@olemiss.edu.