A growing number of Alachua County Public School families rely on the Free/Reduced Lunch Meal Program to feed their children nutritious breakfasts and lunches each school day. But with schools closed during the Winter Holidays, many children will be missing out on those meals.To help struggling families deal with the break in the meal program, Alachua County Public Schools is collecting food for its annual Food Basket Drive. Last year the program provided baskets to more than 400 families.
“Because of the economic situation, we know we have more families in need this year,” said the district’s business partnerships coordinator Kelley Kostamo, who is organizing the drive. “We just want to make this time a little less stressful for them.”
The district is working to collect baskets that include the same basic food items. Anyone interested in participating in the program has a number of options. They can donate specific items from the list below, gather an entire basket containing all the items or provide a cash or check donation. Filling an entire basket costs $51.
“We realize it may be easier for people to contribute money,” said Kostamo. “We’re very happy to go out and purchase the items needed for a basket.”
Each basket will contain the following items: 2 large cans of sweet potatoes, instant or boxed milk, cranberry sauce, bag of rice,s mix, 3 boxes of macaroni and cheese, instant potatoes, box meal with meat (i.e. Hamburger Helper), jar of gravy, Spaghetti noodles and a jar of sauce, 4 cans fruit, Peanut butter, 4 cans vegetables, Jar of jelly, Cake mix/can of frosting, 3 cans of soup, grits, oatmeal or pancake mix, $10 gift card or non-refrigerated ham, 1 large can of ravioli, Spaghetti-O’s, etc.
Donations can be dropped off at one of the following school locations: Terwilliger, Chiles, Hidden Oak and Westwood.
They can also be dropped off at the Kirby Smith Building at 620 East University Avenue.
Pick up can also be arranged by contacting Kostamo at kostamkb@gm.sbac.edu or by phone at 352-955-6900. Donations must be received by the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 10 to give the district and schools time to distribute the baskets to the families.
To help struggling families deal with the break in the meal program, Alachua County Public Schools is collecting food for its annual Food Basket Drive. Last year the program provided baskets to more than 400 families.
“Because of the economic situation, we know we have more families in need this year,” said the district’s business partnerships coordinator Kelley Kostamo, who is organizing the drive. “We just want to make this time a little less stressful for them.”
The district is working to collect baskets that include the same basic food items. Anyone interested in participating in the program has a number of options. They can donate specific items from the list below, gather an entire basket containing all the items or provide a cash or check donation. Filling an entire basket costs $51.
“We realize it may be easier for people to contribute money,” said Kostamo. “We’re very happy to go out and purchase the items needed for a basket.”
Each basket will contain the following items: 2 large cans of sweet potatoes, instant or boxed milk, cranberry sauce, bag of rice,s mix, 3 boxes of macaroni and cheese, instant potatoes, box meal with meat (i.e. Hamburger Helper), jar of gravy, Spaghetti noodles and a jar of sauce, 4 cans fruit, Peanut butter, 4 cans vegetables, Jar of jelly, Cake mix/can of frosting, 3 cans of soup, grits, oatmeal or pancake mix, $10 gift card or non-refrigerated ham, 1 large can of ravioli, Spaghetti-O’s, etc.
Donations can be dropped off at one of the following school locations: Terwilliger, Chiles, Hidden Oak and Westwood.
They can also be dropped off at the Kirby Smith Building at 620 East University Avenue.
Pick up can also be arranged by contacting Kostamo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 352-955-6900. Donations must be received by the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 10 to give the district and schools time to distribute the baskets to the families.