“Feed people, not garbage cans. That’s our motto,” said Kerry Chancy, Health Sciences Associate Professor and head of the Gainesville Harvest food bank at Santa Fe. “Few people on campus are taking advantage of the free breads and goodies we offer as a gift to the Santa Fe family, and we would love to see that change.”
The Gainesville Harvest food bank, located in H-104 near the UF at Santa Fe Center, provides perishable items (breads and pastries) two days a week to any faculty, staff and students who stop by during operating hours. Donations come from Publix, Uppercrust Bakery and Starbucks, and range from rosemary baguettes to raspberry-swirl pound cake. All faculty, staff and students are welcome to one bread and one pastry per week.
The food pantry also stocks canned goods and other non-perishable items for students in need. Students can get a referral from a local agency or counseling professional documenting their need, and will receive one food basket per month. Currently about 10-15 students per month utilize the program.
The food bank is entirely self-sustainable with the majority of the food donations coming from SF’s annual “Boo at the Zoo” canned food drive, while a smaller percentage is donated directly by private donors, as well as the weekly donations of perishable items.
Operating hours are 9 – 11 a.m. Monday and Tuesday. Stop by today to take advantage of the free breads and goodies. For more information, contact Kerry Chancey at 352-395-7396 or kerry.chancey@sfcollege.edu.
