The Illini Union Office of Volunteer Programs will sponsor the annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive starting Tuesday, Nov. 1. The drive provides families with a basket of nonperishable items and a $25 gift card, which can prepare a Thanksgiving meal. The entire Illinois campus is invited to participate.
The drive will run through Friday, Nov. 14. Stone Creek Church in Urbana will collect the baskets and distribute them during its Thanksgiving Big Give event. The goal is to distribute 250 baskets.
Hunger is a reality for an estimated one in six people in Illinois. An estimated one in four children in Illinois struggles with low food security, and 23.4 percent of Champaign County residents –students excluded – live at or below the poverty line.
“We receive participation from students, campus offices and academic units, and each year the participation has grown. We’re excited to contribute to Stone Creek Church’s Big Give,” said John Race, the program advisor for the Illini Union Office of Volunteer Programs.
Donors may drop off baskets Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Illini Union Office of Volunteer Programs at room 288 of the Illini Union, 1401 W. Green St., Urbana. Baskets may also be purchased through the Illini Union Quad Shop in person or online at go.illinois.edu/buybasket. For more information, visit: go.illinois.edu/OVPthanksgiving.
