Friday, October 22, 2010
PRINCESS ANNE, MD-(October 22, 2010)A University of Maryland Eastern Shore community service project looks to area businesses to help present some 300 needy families in Somerset County with a Thanksgiving dinner.
Building on an effort that brought 100 families a holiday meal last year, two area directors in the Office of Residence Life at the university, Clifton Harcum and Phillip Thomas, are working with the Somerset County Department of Social Services, local churches and other organizations to identify residents of the county in need of assistance.
Harcum called last year’s inaugural event a huge success. “It was inspiring to see all of the businesses and organizations that contributed food, as well as all of the student volunteers and volunteers from the Maryland Food Bank who helped with assembling and distributing the baskets to families,” said Harcum. “UMES is here to help-this is our community, too!”
Families that receive a voucher and instructions from an area agency or organization can pick up a basket of donated food items, said Thomas. Food will not be served.
“The smiles that we saw as family members received their dinner basket last Thanksgiving were priceless,” said Thomas. “With the expanded effort this holiday season, we expect to see even more.”
Businesses and organizations interested in donating can contact Harcum at 410-621-0497 or by emailing chharcum@umes.edu or Thomas at 410-651-8306 or by emailing pmthomas@umes.edu.
Photo caption:
Area directors Phillip Thomas, left, and Cliffton Harcum, right, in the UMES Office of Residence Life are pictured with a group of students who helped to assemble baskets of food donated by area businesses for distribution to needy families at last year’s “A Day of Thanksgiving” community service event.
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Gail Stephens, assistant director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-7580, gcstephens@umes.edu.
Bill Robinson, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355, wrobinson3@umes.edu.
