Student-run Thanksgiving food drive collects nearly a ton of food
The fourth annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, organized by GSBS Cares, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Community Service Committee, wrapped up with an impressive total: 1,922 pounds of food were donated from Oct. 29 through Nov. 24 to benefit the Worcester County Food Bank. While this amount is just shy of the 1-ton goal, GSBS Cares Co-chairs Carina Clingman and Jennifer Ziegenfuss said the additional monetary donations—more than $500—more than made up for the modest deficit.
“We are very excited about this number, as many people this year took advantage of the online donation system that Worcester County Food Bank has available on their Web site,” said Ziegenfuss.
“We can’t thank the UMass Medical School community enough for their generous support of this much-needed organization,” said Clingman.
This annual food drive is one of many charitable events and programs organized by GSBS Cares throughout the year, including bake sales, clothing swaps and the coordination of teams supporting the annual Walk to Cure Cancer in September and the annual Walk for Cystic Fibrosis in May; a Valentine’s Day blood drive, which will be held in February 2011; work each spring with Habitat for Humanity; and support of Worcester-area science fairs through volunteer judging and mentoring.
The Worcester County Food Bank collects donated food and grocery items, and works with partner agencies to help feed hungry people in 60 cities and towns in Central Massachusetts.
For a behind-the-scenes look at the Thanksgiving Food Drive, check out this video.
