No child should go hungry.

To this end, the Alachua County School District asked the community to help ensure that children do not go hungry during the school winter vacation.

District officials asked the public to support the winter food movement by providing food and/or monetary donations.

Jenni Roberson, assistant principal of Williams Elementary School, said that winter food sports are very important.

"It provides meals for students and families, otherwise they might not have it. This is a good way to include families," Robertson said. “We want to make sure that the children eat and drink enough, sleep well, and have what they need to learn.”  

During the school year, many students in Alachua County Public Schools receive free breakfast and lunch through the free lunch program. However, officials said that during the winter vacation of more than 14 days between December 20 and 31 this year, it may be difficult for families to feed their children.

To help families in need, Kelley Kostamo, the coordinator of school volunteers and partners, is seeking help from the community to provide food boxes to help alleviate the financial pressure of these families. Costamo said that monetary donations provide the region with opportunities for bulk purchases, discounts and complete boxes for families. Costamo said that an ordinary food box is usually worth $50 and includes a gift card.

Cash donations can be made online by visiting bit.ly/ACPSfoodbox.

Donations can be mailed to the Education Foundation at 2802 NE Eighth Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. 32641, accompanied by a memorandum stating that the donation is used for the food basket project.

Last year, more than 900 families received food boxes. This year's goal is to provide 1,000 food boxes to serve 40 schools.  

“We are struck by the generosity of the Alachua County community every year,” Costamo wrote in an email. "Last year, when we sent a box to a single-parent family with two jobs, I was lucky. She was very grateful that the food helped her expand her budget and allowed her to buy some small gifts for the children. We were able to identify and help It's a blessing to have so many families."

The following is a list of all the items in the food box:

2 large cans of items similar to Chef Boyardee

2 spaghetti and a jar of sauce

Black beans, fillings, instant potatoes, instant boxed milk, a bag of rice.

Desserts-brownie cake, icing cake

Food can be delivered at the ACPS Regional Office (620 E. University Ave., Westwood Middle School, 3215 NW 15th Ave. or the lobby of the Florida Credit Union branch.

For more information, please email kostamkb@gm.sbac.edu or call 352-955-7250, extension. 6411.