UMaine community giving back throughout the holidays
Editor’s note: This is not a complete list and may be updated as more information is available. Latest update Nov. 17.
University of Maine groups are giving back to the community this holiday season through various charitable activities.
The Black Bear Exchange, UMaine’s food pantry and clothing exchange, will provide Thanksgiving meals to its clients who will be in the area for the holiday.
The Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism is sponsoring its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on Monday, Nov. 13. Items can be dropped off from 6–8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at the Buchanan Alumni House, or at the Bodwell Center on the third floor of the Memorial Union by 4 p.m. Nov. 17.
Requested items include turkeys (10–12 pounds), stuffing, butternut squash, carrots, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables and turkey gravy. There also is the option to sponsor a family for $20. For more information, contact Lisa Morin at lisa.morin@maine.edu, 581.4194; or Dani Daigle at danielle.marie.daigle@maine.edu, 581.3097.
The center also will be collecting gifts for the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program and the Crossroads Holiday Sharing Program. To select a child to receive a gift or for more information, contact the Bodwell Center.
The Professional Employees Advisory Council (PEAC) is co-sponsoring the Solidarity Harvest, a day of service, on Nov. 17 along with the International Student Association, Office of International Programs and Bodwell Center.
Eighty volunteers will lend a hand to pack baskets with food donations from area farmers at Food AND Medicine, a nonprofit organization in Brewer, to deliver to families in need for Thanksgiving. Transportation will be provided for three-hour shifts leaving from campus. Registration for volunteers can be completed online.
Members of PEAC and the Classified Employees Advisory Council (CEAC) will collect nonperishable food items, household supplies and monetary donations for the Black Bear Exchange in the Wells Conference Center lobby during the UMaine Employee Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 6.