Last week on social media, I saw a reverse advent calendar that had you put an item of food in a box each day and then give that box to a food pantry on Christmas Eve. I loved the idea, so I gave it a Thanksgiving twist so my friends in the Learning Resources Department and I could help out our local food banks before and after the Thanksgiving rush.

Of course, we would be happy to have others at the College join in the fun! Below is our Countdown to Thanksgiving Food Drive list which provides inspiration to give thanks each day from November 1 until we break for Thanksgiving by adding an item of food each day to a collection box. Each campus Library has a collection box or boxes set up and will give donated items to a local food pantry.

Collection Box Locations

Palatka Campus Library - items will go to Heart of Putnam

St. Augustine Campus Library, Admin office, H building, and J building -  items will go to the St. Francis House & Port in the Storm. They have some unique needs due to their grab & go lunch program. They need items that are pre-packaged into single servings like:

• cups - fruit salad, pudding, apple sauce 
• bars - granola, protein, breakfast bars, pudding cups
• packs - crackers, cookies, nuts 
• canned meat with a pull top
• jerky sticks 

Orange Park Campus Library - items will go to The Clothes Closet & Food Pantry 

You don’t need to drop something off every day, of course, nor do you have to stick exactly to the list – that’s just a bit of fun 

Thank you for reading. I am truly thankful to work with such wonderful people and for such amazing students!

Dr. Christina Will, Dean of Learning Resources