Volunteer Brad Aldridge (left) helps Valerie Ross, associate dean of students for leadership and advocacy, box food for hungry families during a previous UM Adopt-a-Basket effort. The program is conducted annually around Thanksgiving. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Communications
OXFORD, Miss. – As winter holidays draw near, the University of Mississippi community is working together to provide meals for area families in need.
Just in time for Thanksgiving, the 13th Adopt-a-Basket program is accepting food donations at the Jackson Avenue Center. Collection dates and times are noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 13, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 and 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 15.
The event is co-sponsored by the Associated Student Body and the Office of Leadership and Advocacy.
“This year, we are focusing our efforts on members of our university family,” said Hal Sullivan, coordinator of student affairs programs. “We want to ensure that each member of the Ole Miss community has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.”
Anyone interested in participating in this initiative is encouraged to sponsor an entire basket rather than individual items. No cash donations will be accepted, but a $25 gift card to Larson’s Cash Saver, Kroger or Wal-Mart is requested to allow recipients to buy a turkey and perishable items such as eggs and milk.
The accepted items to fill a basket are:
- 2 cans of corn
- 2 cans of green beans
- 2 onions
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 1 bag marshmallows
- 1 pound brown sugar
- 1 can cinnamon
- 1 bottle vanilla extract
- 5-pound bag of sweet potatoes
- 5-pound bag of potatoes
- 5-pound bag of sugar
- 5-pound bag of cornmeal
- $25 gift card
The event has provided meals for more than 1,000 (combined) families over the last several years.
“Adopt-a-Basket facilitates university students, faculty and staff purchasing and donating baskets of goods that will feed a family of four to six a hearty meal on Thanksgiving Day and any other day,” said Valarie Ross, associate dean of students for leadership and advocacy. “Several campus offices and groups serve as supporting campus partners in this effort.”