Adopt-A-Basket to provide meals to the needy in the holiday season

The annual Adopt-A-Basket fundraiser has returned again this holiday season to provide a meal for needy families over the holiday break.

University of Mississippi students, faculty and anyone in the Oxford/Lafayette community can drop off food donations in the Student Union Ballroom Nov. 14 to 18 to fill baskets that will be delivered to underprivileged families around the Oxford/Lafayette area. A food collection will also take place in local grocery stores from Nov. 13 to 15. The baskets will be delivered during the week of Nov. 14.

“We are refraining from saying ‘Thanksgiving’ due to the fact that some do not celebrate the event,” Troy Jackson, Associated Student Body director for community affairs, said. “However, a holiday meal is still a very important aspect of family and fellowship during the break.”

Adopt-A-Basket is sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students/Volunteer Services. The ASB, Interfaith Compassion Ministries, RHA, College of Liberal Arts, CollegeCorps, Volunteer Oxford, Luckyday and Ole Miss Athletics are also part of the event.

“My job is to encourage organizations to sponsor baskets for the event, as well as plan a food collection drive at the local grocery stores the week before the event,” Jackson said. “We will be spreading the word about Adopt-A-Basket and asking people to donate.”

The idea for Adopt-A-Basket came up about seven years ago when the Dean of Students Office realized the number of staff workers on campus that were unable to provide holiday meals for their families. The fundraiser then began as part of the Mississippi Universities Service Into Caring Project, involving the state’s eight public institutions of higher learning.

Eric Moran, management junior, said he plans to donate to Adopt-A-Basket and encourage his friends to donate as well.

“I think this is a great fundraiser, and it’s a great way for students to help out this holiday season,” he said. “It’s so easy to pick up a few cans while you’re at Walmart and drop them off while you’re on campus for classes.”

Adopt-A-Basket is the only fundraiser ASB has done for the holidays in past years, but the ASB plans to continue helping out with the fundraiser in years to come.

“Our goal is to raise enough baskets to feed as many people as we can,” Jackson said.

Jackson said he will also be helping increase student involvement across campus in various volunteer events, including United Way and the Big Event for the remainder of his tenure. United Way will be raising money throughout November, and the Big Event is set to be on March 31.

For more information on Adopt-A-Basket, as well as other future volunteer opportunities, including United Way and the Big Event, contact Jackson at jtjacks2@olemiss.edu or sign up on OrgSync on the Volunteer Services page.