UNE'S ROTARACT CLUB TEAMS UP WITH YORK COUNTY FOOD RESCUE TO PROMOTE TURKEY DRIVE

Biddeford, Maine -  Jamee Robinson, President of UNE's Rotaract Club, has teamed up with   York County Food Rescue Program to help sponsor a turkey drive for needy families in the York County Area.

UNE Rotaract's mission is service within and beyond the community. Its goals include reaching out to the UNE community and nearby communities through volunteer service or donations in the past.

Robinson states, "It's said that the holiday season brings out the best in people.  I like to think    that our group encompasses the same spirit all year round with each and every one of our volunteer experiences."

The purpose of the York County Food Rescue is to help alleviate hunger by enhancing the recovery of donated food in and around York County.  They are a primary link between food distributors/sellers and the non-profit organizations that serve the hungry of York County.  The result of these relationships and collaborations is effective, well-organized, safe and efficient food distribution to the community with the goal that fewer York County residents suffer from hunger and food insecurity.

Jodi Bissonnette, the Director of the York County Food Rescue Program, states, "The number of families that these pantries are helping has more than doubled in the past year.  I can only see it getting worse.  We need folks like UNE to step up and help.  We are all but one paycheck from being in need ourselves."

The turkey drive will be held at Shaw's, 510 Alfred Street in Biddeford on Friday, November 7 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 9 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  They will be accepting donations of turkeys and non-perishable food items to present to needy families in York County.

Named one of the best regional universities in America by U.S. News & World Report, UNE is a leader in health sciences education and biomedical research, offering student-centered, interdisciplinary programs in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Health Professions, College of Arts and Sciences and newly established College of Pharmacy.  For more information, call 207-283-0171 or visit www.une.edu.

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