Where do I donate food?
If you have some extra cans in your pantry, you can donate them to local Gainesville charities before heading home for Thanksgiving.
St. Francis House
413 S. Main Street
To celebrate Thanksgiving, St. Francis House will hold a feast from 10 a.m. until noon on Thursday. The downtown homeless shelter is accepting both nonperishable and refrigerated food items, including turkeys. Students can also bring clothes, towels and toiletries, or donate money online at stfrancishousegnv.org.
UF Field and Fork Food Pantry
564 Newell Drive
Located on campus next to McCarty Hall, the Field and Fork Food Pantry is open to any hungry UF student or faculty member. Students can bring nonperishable items to the pantry, which is open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays, according to its website. Toiletries, like shampoo and toothpaste, can also be donated. For more information or to donate money to the pantry, visit fieldandfork.ufl.edu.
What are good items to donate?
While you can donate canned corn, Thanksgiving-themed items are appreciated at local food banks. These items include:
• Boxed mashed potatoes
• Canned cranberry sauce
• Gravy packets
For green bean casserole: Canned green beans, canned mushroom soup, crispy onions
For cooking: Olive and canola oils, cooking spray
For candied yams: Canned yams and mini marshmallows
For pumpkin pie: Canned pumpkin pie mix, evaporated milk, pre-cooked pie crusts
What do I do if I can’t go home over the break?
If you can’t go home this Thanksgiving, you can get a free Southern-style meal Wednesday at the Salvation Army, 639 E. University Ave. Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q selected the Salvation Army as a recipient of its "Random Acts of BBQ," where the restaurant will donate meals to anyone in the community at 1 p.m. Call 352-240-6631 or visit the "Salvation Army — Gainesville Florida" Facebook page for more information.
