Harvest Drive to Feed the Needy for Thanksgiving

In the fall of 1992, Renee Herman took it upon herself to organize a food drive at Country Isles Elementary that would provide a week’s worth of groceries to 20 Weston area families who were down on their luck. She rallied the students to help with neighborhood canned food drives and camped outside of Publix Supermarkets to accept donations. They succeeded and the 20 families in need were fed. But, she didn’t stop there. Twenty-nine years later, Renee is still on a mission to stamp out hunger and she oversees the yearround effort to help families in need through Harvest Drive.

Unlike many other not for profit organizations, 100% of donations goes to local families in need! No one gets paid to run this organization,” Renee says. “We need more help. Hunger is a year round challenge.”

This grass roots organization’s success is due to a partnership with the Broward County Public Schools. Over 185 public and private schools are involved in the mission to collect enough food to feed over 8,900 families (approximately 27,000 people) throughout Broward County for a week at Thanksgiving time and beyond. Distribution sites are set up at 14 local schools, with Western High School being the largest. In addition to these sites, approximately 189 other schools will be taking donations that will then be divided up between the area distribution sites.

By Margot Puleri

Here is how you can say, “YES, I want to help!”

• Host a Neighborhood Food Drive to collect nonperishables and things from the list below. • Donate whatever amount of money (gift cards are encouraged as well) and non-perishable food you are able to give. • Donate food for our volunteers on Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving. • Donate toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries, clothes, books and toys. • Help sort and pack during Harvest Days at the different distribution sites (visit www.harvestdriveflorida.com for schedule). • Spread the word!