HARVEST DRIVE ENTERS 18TH YEAR
No Child Deserves to Go Hungry
As in the previous 17 years, “Children Helping Children” remains the theme of the Harvest Drive. The children throughout Broward County Schools continue to be the focal point of our activities and most students will be assisting in our efforts. Over 110 schools participating have their own method of raising awareness and collecting the non-perishables from this year’s need’s list.
Each year more and more companies, civic groups and religious organizations become involved by making cash donations, providing gift cards for food and/or gasoline. If you have want to join in, this is the year to do so, as the Harvest Drive remains a priority cause – NO CHILD DESERVES TO GO HUNGRY.
While the Harvest Drive traditionally collects food and clothing just prior to Thanksgiving, we have been called upon to assist families on a year round basis due to the current economic conditions and high unemployment rate in Florida.
As the needs in the community continue to grow so do our fundraising efforts and you will be learning more concerning ways to assist through the efforts of the Rotary Clubs, Weston Lawyers.Com, Broward Collision, and American Express in addition to our church and civic groups.
Mission statement:
The Harvest Drive incorporates all aspects of philanthropy by promoting the concept of children and adults working hand-in-hand to offer needy families in Broward County gifts of food and other necessities during the Thanksgiving holidays and beyond. Educating all children and creating a consciousness about the various needs in the community; promoting altruism and giving them the opportunity to help others are all cornerstones of the Harvest Drive.
The unique characteristic of the program is that in addition to the business and corporate donations, children are at the helm of all the collections. The purpose of the Harvest Drive is to teach children at an early age that their contributions can make a difference in the lives of others, by facilitating their direct participation in the project.
Harvest Drive is expanding in 2010 providing assistance to families throughout the year with food and daily necessities. Hunger is a year round issue and will be addressed through the Harvest Drive as such.
Thanksgiving Holiday Goal:
To provide 1500 families (approximately 6000 individuals) in Broward County with a complete Thanksgiving dinner plus a week’s worth of groceries, new or gently used clothing, shoes, books and toys.
Harvest Drive’s Year-round Goal:
Harvest Drive will be a resource for needy families in crisis and for assistance with food and other necessities. Families are referred by different social service agencies, as well as by the Broward County school social workers.
The Thanksgiving Harvest Drive in Action:
The Harvest Drive is a yearlong project that culminates in a charitable event that takes place in the majority of the Broward County Public Schools every Thanksgiving. Students from over 110 schools, churches and temples conduct drives and supply the Harvest Drive with the non-perishable food which is then distributed to the families. Community businesses, corporations, civic organizations, Parent Teacher Associations, volunteer organizations, and individual donors have generously sponsored the Harvest Drive by providing money to purchase all perishable foods. Various High School clubs collect large quantities of food obtained at neighborhood Publix and Wal-Mart stores during Harvest Days throughout the county.
Preparation for the actual distribution day takes place at each host school. This is an effort that entails the participation and coordination of many students, school personnel and hundreds of community volunteers. All items collected for distribution are dropped off at the respective sites. Volunteers sort, inventory and label all donations. The non-perishable food items are packed in no less than ten overflowing grocery bags per family.
HARVEST DRIVE DISTRIBUTION
SITES/DATES/TIMES
STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL:
Monday, Nov. 15th – 6:00pm to 9:00pm, Douglas drop off for the community
Tuesday, Nov. 16th – 8:00am to 2:00pm, Douglas sorting and packing
Wednesday, Nov. 17th – 9:00am to 12 noon, Douglas family pick -up
POMPANO BEACH HIGH SCHOOL:
Tuesday, Nov. 16th – 4:00pm to 6:00pm, Pompano drop off for the community
Wednesday, Nov. 17th – 8:00am to 2:00pm, Pompano sorting and packing
Thursday, Nov. 18th – 9:00am to 12 noon, Pompano family pick-up
TARAVELLA HIGH SCHOOL:
Friday, Nov. 19th – 8:00am to 4:00pm, Taravella sorting and packing
4:00pm to 6:00pm, Taravella family pick- up
SOUTH BROWARD HIGH SCHOOL:
Monday, Nov. 15th – 12 noon to 8:00pm, South Broward sorting/packing and family pick-up.
PLANTATION HIGH SCHOOL:
Tuesday, Nov. 16th – 12 noon to 8pm, Plantation sorting/packing and family pick-up
FT. LAUDERDALE HIGH SCHOOL:
Wednesday, Nov. 17th – 12 noon to 8:00pm, Ft. Lauderdale sorting/packing and family pick-up.
GLADES MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Wednesday, Nov. 17th -10:00am to 3:00pm, Glades drop off
Thursday, Nov. 18th – 9:00am to 7:15pm, Glades sorting/packing and family pick-up
WESTERN HIGH SCHOOL:
Friday, Nov. 19th – 3:00pm to 9:00pm, Western drop off for the community
Monday, Nov. 22nd – all day, Western sorting and packing
Tuesday, Nov. 23rd – 9:00am to 2:00pm, Western family pick- up
The Harvest Drive accepts cash donations and gift cards. Checks should be made payable to Harvest Drive, Inc. Please send all correspondence to 5190 NW 165th Street, Miami, Florida 33014. All donations are tax deductible 501c (3).
If you would like more information on how you can help, please see the Harvest Drive website at: www.harvestdriveflorida.com.
Should you know of a family in need of some assistance, kindly contact your school’s social worker for detailed information.
Please make this the year you elect to support and participate in this worthwhile, countywide charitable effort so that ‘no child goes hungry’
