Covid challenges are making the collection and distribution of food even more important this year.
Published: October 27, 2020
By: Shannon Pease-Severance
For many, Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table for an abundant meal, but for others — particularly those who are food insecure — there may be little, or nothing, to serve. That’s where The Harvest Drive steps in.
Typically, this is the time of year when students and other community members spring into action to collect food, gift cards, toiletries and other necessities for local families in need. Founded by Renee Herman, The Harvest Drive is a school-based effort and has been a mainstay in Broward County for nearly three decades.
This year, the pandemic, school and business closures, and COVID-19 restrictions have created some unique challenges for the effort. Collection sites have been difficult to secure, and many students who otherwise would drop off donations at school are now schooling virtually.
However, that is not stopping the worker bees — students, teachers, administrators, social workers and community sponsors — who are the driving force behind the collection and distribution efforts that benefit numerous Broward Schools families.
Kids have become creative this year, organizers explained, by collecting individually and amongst groups they belong to, such as the Girls Scouts, or by forming groups specifically related to the cause. Students have also reached out to clubs within their schools to arrange outside collections, created Venmo accounts to garner donations to be used for food purchases, and have been “adopting” families by purchasing all the goods on a food needs list, bagging it up and donating it.
The goal of The Harvest Drive this year is to provide 2,000 families with bags of food and other supplies this holiday season.
A list of suggested non-perishable food and toiletry items can be found on the Harvest Drive website. The Harvest Drive also accepts monetary donations and gift cards. Contributions are tax-deductible.
For more information, visit http://www.harvestdriveflorida.com or contact Operations Coordinator Holly Stracquadaine at 954-465-0042.
