A volunteer organizes supplies for the Adopt-A-Basket program. Photo courtesy of Coulter Ward
The Associated Student Body, the Big Event and the Office of Volunteer Services partnered together once again for the 10th annual Adopt-A-Basket program, which helps provide Thanksgiving meals for families.
Valerie Ross, associate dean of students, said she started Adopt-A-Basket ten years ago because serving the community is near and dear to her heart.
“Over the years, the need has increased, and the community has continued to provide more support in order to meet these needs,” Ross said. “I feel extremely fortunate to work at this university where individuals are so committed to helping each other and working to make a difference.”
The program accepted food donations on Tuesday through Thursday of this week at the Jackson Avenue Center, and volunteers helped to pack the baskets.
In each basket, there are two cans each of corn and green beans, a 5-pound bag of flour and sugar, 3 pounds each of sweet potatoes and white potatoes, cranberry sauce, an onion and sweetened condensed milk. Each basket also contains a $35 gift card to Wal-Mart, Kroger or Larson’s Cash Saver grocery store.
The Office of Volunteer Services contacted organizations such as Interfaith Compassion Ministry, More Than a Meal, Doors of Hope, as well as campus departments to get names of those who might be in need of a basket this Thanksgiving.
Coulter Ward, assistant dean of students for student involvement, said right now, the program has about 260 names to feed.
Kaitlyn Vogt, graduate assistant for volunteer services and student involvement, helped to coordinate the event this year.
“It’s a great way to be able to give back to the Oxford community and to just highlight that there are other people in Oxford besides the university because I feel like we get caught in the university bubble and to show that there is a need in the community,” Vogt said.
William Kneip, co-director of finance and fundraising for Big Event, said he is glad that Big Event was able to use its platform and connections with students, faculty and staff to be able to help promote Adopt-A-Basket.
“It’s great to be to be able to bring attention to another organization, such as Adopt-A-Basket, and at the same time as we promote Big Event during One Big Week, we also get to highlight the other great organizations in Oxford, such as Adopt-A-Basket, and really promote their values and mission to do exactly what we’re doing, which is further the Oxford community,” Kneip said.
Sarah Threadgill, a sophomore communication sciences and disorders major, volunteered to help pack boxes for Adopt-A-Basket and said that it makes her feel good to be able to help such a worthy cause.
“I really like that on Thanksgiving, I’ll be able to know that I helped feed other families this year,” Threadgill said.
