Students launch food and clothing drive
NOTICE
October 19, 2009
Boston and Cambridge food pantries and homeless and women’s shelters will receive much-needed assistance this fall through the charitable efforts of members of the Harvard Extension Service and Leadership Society (a subgroup of the Harvard Extension Student Association). The student-organized group has launched an ambitious food drive with a goal to collect at least 1,000 nonperishable items by December 18, 2009.
Food Drive organizer/student Diane Hopson, Dean of Students Rob Neugeboren, Dean Michael Shinagel, program manager Jennifer Bond of the Cambridge Women’s Drop-in Center, corp officer Major Betzann Carroll of the Central Square Salvation Army, and President of HESA Andre Bisasor make the first donations to the drive. Photo by Jeffry Pike.
Prompted by President Drew Faust’s campus-wide call to service, and led by management degree candidate Diane Hopson, the drive was officially kicked-off Friday, October 16, World Food Day. Collection bins are placed at various locations around campus, including:
- 51 Brattle Street—2 boxes on the first floor
- Sever Hall— 2 boxes at the bottom of the steps on the first floor
- Emerson Hall— 1 box on the first floor near the statue
- 79 JFK Street in the KSG-Belfer Center—first floor
- Widener Library—first floor circulation
- Science Center—first floor by the security desk
- Memorial Church—first floor, Harvard Chaplains office
- Graduate School of Education—first floor just outside of Gutman Library
- HDS—1 box at Andover Hall, first floor lobby; 1 box at Divinity Hall, first floor
- Dudley House—1 box on the first floor near the doorway
- PBHA—1 box on the first floor in the front lobby
Joining with the efforts of the Leadership Society are additional student groups on campus, such as the campus-wide Christian Fellowship, the Kennedy School Student Government, and the Harvard Toastmasters.
In order to ensure collection of a variety of non-perishable items, different goods are requested each month:
- October: vegetables, juices, dry cereal, dried or canned fruit
- November: canned lean meats (such as tuna fish, salmon, chicken), canned or dry beans, bean soup, chili, pasta, nuts, peas, beef stew, and peanut butter
- December: canned, dried, or evaporated milk; dried or canned fruit; oatmeal; whole grain rice; all types of pasta; high fiber cereals such as Cheerios or Raisin Bran
Clothing needed
The Leadership Society students also encourage you to consider making much-needed clothing donations directly to the following agencies:
Harvard Square Homeless Shelter
66 Winthrop Street (basement)
Cambridge, MA 02238
(617) 547-2841
Accepts bedding, blankets, clothing, coats and other outerwear, towels, underwear and toiletries.
Salvation Army
402 Mass Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 547-3400
8:30 am–4:00 pm
Accepts blankets, socks, towels, t-shirts, and underwear.
Heading Home Overnight Shelter and Women’s Drop in Day Center
109 School Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 547-1885
jbond@headinghomeinc.org
Accepts men’s or women’s hats, gloves, jackets, pants, scarves, shirts, shoes, slippers, sweatshirts, sweaters, towels (white), and vests. They also accept bedding and toiletries (hotel or full size-soap, toothbrushes, shampoo).
Cambridgeport Baptist Church
459 Putnam Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 576-6779
This church will accept anything the is in good wearable condition for all ages. They are specifically looking for men’s interview clothing to be used to for perspective jobs.
The Gateway Family Shelter/Somerville Homeless Coalition
E-mail lizjaramilklo20@gmail.com to make an appointment to drop off clothing.
This Coalition is requesting clothes for all ages, especially for small children and toddlers, diapers, baby wipes, (sizes 3, 4, and 5) and Pull-Ups 2T/3T and 4T/5T.
Toiletries requested include: shampoo, soap, maxi pads, and deodorant. The shelter is housing 77 homeless families with about 50 children.
Bread and Jams
50 Quincy Street (in the basement off Kirkland)
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 441-3831
Men-only agency; open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Clothing needed: hats, underwear, socks, toiletries, and any kind of men’s winter clothing.