Local schools are partnering with Harvest Drive, Inc. to make sure local families don’t go hungry for Thanksgiving. The organization, in partnership with more than 200 schools, will provide a week’s worth of groceries plus a gift card or perishable items to ensure 2,400 families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
This is nothing new for Renee Herman who founded this grass roots non-profit organization 30 years ago on the principle of teaching children the importance of compassion and empathy for others.
What began as an annual Thanksgiving Drive blossomed into a year-round volunteer-driven effort approximately 20 years ago.
Entering its 30th year, Harvest Drive continues its tradition by once again helping families to have a bountiful Thanksgiving feast and enough groceries for the holiday week.
Students at participating schools have been collecting non-perishable items, household goods, and grocery gift cards. Collections began mid-October and will conclude in early November. The items will be consolidated at 13 school-based distribution sites to ensure that recipient families receive 6-10 bags of groceries in time for Thanksgiving.
The mission of Harvest Drive, Inc. is to promote the concept of philanthropy to local students by providing the opportunity for them to give back directly to their community in a basic and meaningful way. Students working in conjunction with community partners provide food and other necessities including gently used clothing and household items to Broward County schools’ families in need during the Thanksgiving holiday and throughout the year. The Harvest Drive strives to educate students on the issue of hunger in our community and empower them to take leadership roles in lessening hunger’s devastating impact.
Members of the local community are encouraged to volunteer or donate canned goods and non-perishable items. Donations can be dropped off at Harvest Drive’s flagship school, Western High School, on Wednesday, November 16 from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Food will be distributed at a number of locations across Broward County. Local distributions sites include:
COCONUT CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
754-322-0350
1400 N.W. 44th Ave., Coconut Creek
Nov. 18th 4:00-7:00 pm auditorium
JP TARAVELLA HIGH SCHOOL
754-322-2300
10600 Riverside Dr., Coral Springs
Nov. 10th 5:30 – 7:30 pm
WESTGLADES MIDDLE SCHOOL
754-322-4800
11000 Holmberg Rd., Parkland
Nov. 17th 4:15 – 6:30 pm gym
Visit www.harvestdriveflorida.com,
to learn how you can help Harvest Drive Feed Broward County Families